The French government will supply Ukraine’s armed forces with “hundreds” of old but “still functional” armored personnel carriers, as well as Aster missiles, as part of a new military aid package to Kiev as the war with Russia enters its third year year, announced the French Minister of Defense.

“To hold such a long front line, the Ukrainian army needs, for example, many of our armored vehicles (véhicules de l’avant blindé, VAB), which are key to troop mobility,” Sebastian Lecornou explained in an interview of La Tribune published last Saturday night.

“This old, but still operational hardware will be able to directly benefit Ukraine in a large amount. We can talk about hundreds (of VABs being delivered) in 2024 and early 2025,” he added.

The VABs, which entered service more than 40 years ago, are being replaced in the French Army by newer generation Griffon armored fighting vehicles (AACs).

At the same time, reacting to Kiev’s pressing requests to strengthen Ukrainian air defense, Paris will “release a new batch of Aster 30 missiles” for the SAMP/T MAMBA system, similar to the American Patriot.

“We are also developing remote-controlled munitions with very fast procedures to deliver them to the Ukrainians from the summer,” continued the French defense minister.

On Tuesday, Mr. Lecornou said he did not rule out sanctions, or forcing industries to prioritize military needs, to speed up production.

Paris is demanding that the French defense industry increase and accelerate its production to meet the needs of the French military and ensure the duration of the support it provides to Ukraine.

“European missile manufacturer MBDA owes us fast deliveries. (Executive) orders were released (last) Friday that provide for the Ministry of Defense to police compliance with stockpile obligations, prioritization of contracts, and even (by) requisitions,” he insisted yesterday.

“I have asked the Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) to submit proposals to me on the implementation of these measures to speed up the production of Aster missiles,” he added.

The defense minister explained that apart from Ukraine, France also needs to maintain and increase its stockpile of missiles of the type, which are used by the French Navy to repel attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels in the Red Sea.

In November, the Iran-backed Houthis launched a series of drone and missile attacks against ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, an area of ​​strategic importance to global trade.

Regarding exports, “I found that the French industry lost some contracts in Eastern European countries”, since “in order to sell weapons” the country that has them “must be good in technologies, in prices, in diplomacy, but now also in terms of delivery”, said Mr. Lecornou.