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France Strengthens Military Support to Ukraine with Milan and Mistral Missiles and Armored Vehicles.
As part of a new €2 billion military aid package announced on March 26, 2025, during the visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to the Élysée Palace, France has committed to delivering a range of military equipment to Ukraine aimed at reinforcing the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ ability to resist Russian aggression. French President Emmanuel Macron outlined the contents of the package, which includes MILAN anti-tank missiles, Mistral surface-to-air missiles, MICA missiles for the Mirage 2000-5F fighter jets already supplied to Ukraine, VAB armored personnel carriers, AMX-10 RC reconnaissance vehicles, various munitions—including remotely operated types—and drones. The aid also includes provisions for joint production on Ukrainian territory in partnership with French defense industry firms.
Ukrainian forces have deployed AMX-10 RC, particularly in forested areas of the southeast, where they have been used in rapid strikes against Russian supply columns (Picture source: Ukrainian MoD)
Among the items listed, MILAN missiles are a key component. This portable anti-tank system, developed jointly by France and Germany, is equipped with a shaped-charge warhead capable of penetrating up to 1,000 mm of armor. Operated from a lightweight firing post, the MILAN has an effective range of up to 2,000 meters and can be used both day and night thanks to thermal sights. Already supplied in several hundred units since the early stages of the conflict, MILAN systems have been used to block the advance of Russian armored vehicles, particularly in wooded and semi-urban areas of Donbas, where their accuracy and ease of use have been noted by Ukrainian units.
Mistral surface-to-air missiles are also part of the delivery. These infrared-guided missiles are designed for short-range air defense. Shoulder-launched or mounted on vehicles, Mistral systems have an effective range of 6 kilometers and can engage low-flying aircraft, helicopters, and drones. They complement Ukraine’s existing air defense capabilities, especially against Russian loitering munitions such as Lancet and Shahed drones. Ukraine had previously received an initial batch of Mistral systems in 2022, which were deployed effectively around critical infrastructure and logistics hubs.
The inclusion of MICA missiles aims to bolster Ukraine’s air combat capabilities. Designed to arm the Mirage 2000-5F aircraft donated by France in 2024, these air-to-air missiles—guided by infrared or active radar—offer a range exceeding 50 kilometers. Known for their agility, MICA missiles allow for engagements at medium range, even in heavily jammed environments. Their deployment with Mirage fighters enables Ukraine to enhance its air patrol and defense capacity against incursions by Russian combat aircraft.
The VAB armored personnel carriers (Véhicule de l’Avant Blindé), also included in the package, are 4x4 or 6x6 wheeled vehicles designed for troop transport in combat zones. Lightly armored against small arms fire and artillery fragments, they can be fitted with 7.62 mm or 12.7 mm machine guns, or automatic grenade launchers. Highly mobile and easy to maintain, the VABs delivered to Ukraine will likely be used for logistics or as mobile command posts in rear positions. Similar vehicles had already been supplied in 2022, notably during Ukrainian counteroffensives toward Kherson.
Another key element of the aid is the AMX-10 RC, a wheeled reconnaissance vehicle equipped with a 105 mm cannon. These vehicles have already proven useful on the Ukrainian front. Capable of reaching speeds of up to 85 km/h on dry terrain, the AMX-10 RC enables mobile fire operations against fortified positions or lightly armored targets. Ukrainian forces have deployed them particularly in forested areas of the southeast, where they have been used in rapid strikes against Russian supply columns. While their high-pressure, stabilized gun ensures precise targeting, their limited armor protection requires cautious use in contested zones.
The deliveries will also include large quantities of functions, including remotely operated types. This likely refers to loitering munitions or remotely controlled charges for targeting fortifications or equipment. These systems allow Ukrainian infantry to engage targets at a distance without direct exposure to enemy fire—a growing tactical necessity in trench and urban warfare. Lastly, the provision of drones, though not further specified, underscores the ongoing shift toward maneuver warfare and battlefield observation. These are expected to include both reconnaissance drones and loitering munitions similar to Phoenix Ghosts or improvised FPV drones, now widely used along the front lines.
Beyond the material deliveries, President Macron emphasized the importance of industrial partnerships that would allow Ukraine to manufacture part of these systems domestically. This initiative aims to strengthen Ukraine’s defense industrial base and ensure a more resilient supply chain amid logistical and financial constraints. French defense firms such as Nexter, MBDA, and Arquus are likely to be involved in the formation of joint ventures or technology transfers.
France’s €2 billion military aid package thus combines combat-tested systems already in use in Ukraine with long-term industrial cooperation. It encompasses a broad range of offensive and defensive capabilities, from anti-tank warfare to air defense, armored mobility, and precision strikes. In a context where U.S. support appears increasingly uncertain, France is seeking to consolidate a European foundation for continued assistance to Ukraine, while also positioning its own defense industry as a key player in the country’s military reconstruction.
Since Donald Trump returned to the U.S. presidency in January 2025, Ukraine’s geopolitical situation has entered a new phase of strategic uncertainty. As Western support for Kyiv has largely depended on U.S. military, financial, and diplomatic engagement, the more isolationist stance of the new American administration has raised serious concerns across Europe. Trump, consistent with his "America First" platform, has suggested that defending Ukraine is no longer a vital national interest for the United States, casting doubt on the continuation of arms deliveries and budgetary assistance that had previously played a central role in Ukraine’s resistance.
This shift has forced European countries to urgently rethink their strategic posture. France, Germany, Poland, and the Baltic states have stepped up coordination to avoid a collapse of Ukraine’s defense capacity. This dynamic has gradually led to a rebalancing of Western leadership on the Ukrainian issue, with the European Union and several member states becoming increasingly active in supplying heavy weaponry, training Ukrainian forces, and establishing common financing mechanisms. Trump’s return in 2025 thus marks a turning point in the war: one that is now becoming less transatlantic and more distinctly European.