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Missiles, Air defense, Energy, France announces a new batch of supplies for Kiev military capacities.
France will provide additional military aid to Ukraine in the coming days and weeks, the Elysée announced on Tuesday after a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The statement indicated that the President of the Republic reiterated France's determination to provide all necessary support. He was also able to detail the deliveries for the coming days and weeks in support of the Ukrainian military effort
Volodymyr Zelensky et Emmanuel Macron on 16 june 2022 At Marinsky Palace, Kiev (Picture source: LUDOVIC MARIN | AFP)
An Elysée official declined to specify what the deliveries might include. However, around the same time, French Minister of Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu announced that a shipment of ASTER missiles to Ukraine had been signed. The announcement was made in the National Assembly, specifying that this was to ensure the activity of the SAMP/T system delivered in partnership with Italy to protect Kiev.
The Aster missile is an air defense system developed by MBDA, resulting from Franco-Italian collaboration. It comes in two main versions: the Aster 15 for short to medium-range threats and the Aster 30 for longer-range threats. The Aster 15 can reach targets up to 30 kilometers away, while the Aster 30 can intercept targets up to a distance of 120 kilometers. Designed to counter a variety of aerial threats, including fighter jets, cruise missiles, and, in the case of the Aster 30, tactical range ballistic missiles, the Aster system is distinguished by its ability to engage multiple targets simultaneously thanks to its active radar guidance system.
Neither the number and variant of ASTER missiles provided nor the delivery schedule have been detailed by France. Concurrently, the MBDA arms group, manufacturer of the ASTER missile, continues its efforts to accelerate the missile production process. The French Minister of Armed Forces emphasized that cooperation with MBDA to replenish missile stocks allowed the French military to provide everything to Ukraine without compromising their own stocks.
Lecornu added that the situation on the front line in Ukraine is indeed tense, and this is also due to Russian forces trying to take advantage of this period of delay in the supply of American aid. During his call with Zelensky, Macron emphasized his support for a truce during the Paris Olympics this summer, according to the statement, which would imply that Russia cease its operations and that "all useful diplomatic initiatives" be taken to open negotiations. Last week, Chinese President Xi Jinping supported the call for a global truce during the Paris Olympics."