To strengthen air defense: France will hand over a new help package to Ukraine

According to the French Ministry of Defense, Ukraine will receive French wheel armored personnel carriers of VAB and a batch of anti -aircraft missiles Aster 30. As part of a fresh military assistance package, France plans to transfer a significant number of armored vehicles removed from the operational composition of the French Armed Forces. In addition, the transmission of anti -aircraft missiles Aster 30 is expected to improve the efficiency of the Ukrainian air defense system.

This was stated by French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecorton, Le Monde reports. Among the passed armored vehicles, French wheeled armored vehicles VAB are important. "To keep such a large front line, the Ukrainian army requires, for example, our armored front vehicles (VAB): this is absolutely necessary for the mobility of the troops," Lecorton said.

According to the Minister's statement, despite the fact that VAB armored personnel carriers belong to the old model of equipment, they are still suitable for operation and can be useful for Ukraine. The minister also added that hundreds of such cars will be handed over to the Ukrainian side during 2024 and early 2025. VAB armored personnel carriers have been in service with the French Army for over 40 years and are gradually being replaced by new new generation wheel machines such as Griffon.

In addition, in response to a request for assistance in strengthening air defense, France will hand over to Ukraine a batch of anti -aircraft missiles Aster 30 for use in SAMP/T. "We are also developing remote controls in a very short time to deliver them to Ukrainians this summer," added the French Defense Ministry. At the same time, Sebastien Lecorton did not specify any ammunition.