French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu has announced that France will increase its military support by delivering additional Caesar howitzers and guided bombs to Ukraine.
This commitment, revealed in an interview with Le Parisien on January 18, aligns with French President Emmanuel Macron's planned bilateral military agreement to be signed next month in Kyiv.
Enhanced Artillery Support
Lecornu detailed France's commitment to produce 78 Caesar howitzers by early 2025, with six of these to be delivered to Ukraine in the coming weeks.
These artillery pieces, each costing up to 4 million euros, have already demonstrated their effectiveness, with 49 Caesar howitzers currently in Ukraine contributing to tactical successes. France aims to encourage European allies to participate in financing this initiative.
Air-dropped Munitions and Increased Ammunition Supply
Additionally, France will supply Ukraine with 50 AASM high-precision air-dropped bombs monthly until the year's end. These munitions, which will be used in Ukrainian Soviet-era combat aircraft, mark a new chapter in the military cooperation between the two countries.
Furthermore, France plans to ramp up its delivery of artillery shells to 3,000 per month starting February, an increase from the previous 2,000 shells per month.
To further strengthen Ukraine's resistance against Russia, Paris is set to launch an “artillery coalition” on January 18. Chaired by France and the U.S., this coalition will operate within the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in a Ramstein format.
