France to supply Ukraine with more military equipment including drones and 18 CAESAR 155mm howitzers.

In a pivotal initiative to enhance Ukraine's military strength during its ongoing conflict, France has pledged an extensive array of military support and collaboration efforts. During a speech in the French Parliament on March 12, 2024, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal outlined France's upcoming contributions to Ukraine. These include the supply of 150 drones, 100 loitering munitions, a total of eighteen CAESAR 155mm wheeled self-propelled howitzers—with an initial delivery of six and a further twelve to be financed by France—and the production of 3,000 artillery shells to support Ukraine's military efforts.
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On March 12, 2024, French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal announced the delivery to Ukraine of 18 additional CAESAR 155mm howitzers to Ukraine. (Picture source French Parliament)

This announcement is part of a broader engagement by France, detailed in various reports and agreements, showing France's ongoing support to Ukraine in various military dimensions. Earlier, France pledged to provide up to €3 billion in military aid within a new security deal for the year 2024. This agreement covers a wide range of support areas, including joint weapon production, procurement of long-range weapons and combat aircraft, and cooperation in cyberspace. The deal also emphasizes the development of a modern defense sector in Ukraine and paths to future NATO interoperability.

In a significant enhancement of its support for Ukraine, France has delivered military equipment worth a total of €2.615 billion since the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian army in February 2022. This contribution is part of France's broader commitment, which also includes a €1.2 billion donation to the European Peace Facility (EPF), amounting to over €3.8 billion in support between February 24, 2022, and December 31, 2023. This substantial financial support is matched by a commitment to training, with nearly 10,000 Ukrainian soldiers having already been trained by the armed forces in Poland and France.

Adding to the comprehensive package of military aid and cooperation previously outlined, France has already supplied Ukraine with a wide array of combat vehicles and military equipment. This extensive list includes 1,002 AT4 anti-tank rockets, 3 Milan anti-tank missile systems, 6 TRF1 155mm towed guns, 30 CAESAR 155mm 6x6 howitzers, 4 M270 LRU rocket launcher vehicles, 2 Crotale NG air defense missile systems, 6 Mistral MANPADS, 1 SAMP/T air defense missile system, 38 AMX-10RC anti-tank vehicles, and 250 VAB 4x4 armored personnel carriers. This delivery also encompasses several pieces of individual military equipment and ammunition, further bolstering Ukraine's defensive capabilities.

Moreover, Europe has been stepping up its support for Ukraine, recognizing the need for a collective European effort to meet security challenges. There is a growing consensus among European nations on the importance of providing substantial support to Ukraine to prevent any potential adverse outcomes that could affect the entire continent.

France's comprehensive military aid package reflects a robust commitment to Ukraine, aiming not only to bolster Ukraine's immediate defensive capabilities but also to strengthen its long-term defense and security infrastructure. This support comes at a crucial time as Ukraine continues to face Russian forces deployed in Ukraine.

Defense News March 2024