France announces fresh batch of military aid to Ukraine

France, within a new aid package, will transfer hundreds of armored vehicles and Aster missiles for air defense systems to Ukraine, French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu said, Report informs via Le Monde.

According to the minister, France will transfer old armored vehicles to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, which are “still in good working order,” but the French army will get newer ones in return.

“To hold such a large front line, the Ukrainian army needs, for example, our VAB armored front-line vehicles: this is absolutely necessary for the mobility of troops. This old equipment, still serviceable, can directly benefit Ukraine. We are talking about the transfer of hundreds of hundreds of vehicles in 2024 and early 2025," sys Lecornu said.

The minister also said that France wants to help strengthen Ukraine’s air defense, so it is preparing a new batch of Aster 30 anti-aircraft missiles for the SAMP/T air defense system, previously supplied by Italy.

Paris is asking the French defense industry to produce more and more products to meet the needs of the army and provide long-term support to Ukraine.