French companies plan to produce military equipment in Ukraine to help Kyiv bolster its war efforts, Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu said last week.
The first production unit could commence as soon as this summer, he added.
“Three French companies will be setting up partnerships with Ukrainian companies, in particular in the drone and land equipment sectors, to produce spare parts on Ukrainian soil, and perhaps ammunition in the future,” France 24 quoted Lecornu as saying, hinting that the companies could include Franco-German tank producer KNDS and drone maker Delair.
French Weapons in Ukraine
Lecornu also confirmed the purchase of 200 Aster surface-to-air missiles from MBDA, some of which would be sent to Ukraine.
France provided 3.8 billion euros ($4.15 billion) of aid to Ukraine from February 2022 to December 2023, including military equipment worth 2.62 billion euros ($2.86 billion) and 1.2 billion euros ($1.31 billion) to the European Peace Facility.
Some of the more prominent French weapons delivered to Ukraine include 30 Caesar self-propelled truck-mounted howitzers, a SAMP/T air defense system, and an unspecified number of SCALP long-range air-launched cruise missiles.
In addition, France has trained 10,000 Ukrainian soldiers in Poland and France.