“To hold such a large front line, the Ukrainian army needs, for example, our armored front vehicles (VAB, editor’s note): this is absolutely key for troop mobility,” explained Sébastien Lecornu in an interview with La Tribune published Saturday evening. “This old equipment, still operational, will be able to directly benefit Ukraine in significant quantities. We can talk about hundreds of them for 2024 and early 2025,” he added.
The famous VAB armored personnel carriers, more than 40 years old, are being replaced in the French army by the new generation Griffon armored vehicles. Responding to pressing requests from kyiv to strengthen its anti-aircraft defense capabilities, Paris will also “unlock a new batch of Aster 30 missiles” for the SAMP/T MAMBA device, the equivalent of the American Patriot.
“We are also developing tele-operated munitions within a very short time frame, to deliver them to the Ukrainians this summer,” added the minister.
On Tuesday, Mr. Lecornu indicated that he did not rule out resorting to requisitions or requiring manufacturers to give priority to military needs over civilian needs, to accelerate production.
Missile stocks
Paris is ordering the French defense industry to produce more and more quickly to meet the needs of its army and ensure long-term support for Ukraine.
“The European missile manufacturer MBDA owes us rapid deliveries. This Friday, decrees were published on the police power of the Minister of the Armed Forces in terms of stock obligations, prioritization of contracts, and even requisition,” he insisted on Saturday.
“I asked the General Directorate of Armaments (DGA) to make proposals to me for the implementation of these measures to accelerate the production of the Aster missile,” he noted. “The DGA will issue a first injunction to MBDA so that it builds up sufficient stocks of components. To be clear, I am requiring stockpiling to produce ammunition.”
The minister argued that in addition to Ukraine, France also needed the missiles to fight in the Red Sea against attacks by Yemeni Houthi rebels. In November, the Iran-backed Houthis began a campaign of drone and missile strikes against shipping in the Red Sea, a region critical to global trade.