France is singled out for the weakness of its aid to Ukraine in terms of weapons. According to François Heisbourg, a member of the International Institute for Strategic Studies, it would be in 9th position with 1.4%. “I’m tempted to round down to 2%, since some of our deliveries go through other routes,” he says. But France is still far behind the United States (49%), Poland (22%), Germany (9%) or Italy (3%).
These figures correspond to those of the Kiel Institute, which in its ranking of countries that help Ukraine in military, financial and humanitarian terms, places France at the bottom.
A “balancing power”
The concern about the weakness of these shipments is based, according to François Heisbourg, on the weight of France in terms of European defense.
Recently, Pierre Haroche, a researcher at the Strategic Research Institute of the Military School, published in The world a call to provide Kyiv with the reserve of fifty French Army Leclerc tanks.
What value?
For General Pellistrandi, these statements are far from reality and make the French soldiers “jump”. He recalls the shipment of the 18 Caesar cannons withdrawn from the Army stock, which only has 56 left. The Minister of the Armed Forces, Sébastien Lecornu, announced the release ofa budget of 85 million euros to replace them.
France has also provided Milan and Mistral missiles, some sixty VABs (front armored vehicles), HDP-2A2 anti-tank mines, NRBC (nuclear, radiological, biological and chemical) protection and state-of-the-art night vision goggles. You should also send TRF1 towed guns.
communicate better
On the other hand, France’s support is not limited to direct aid. It is also made up of ground and air units sent to Eastern Europe, in particular Romania, and Awacs that provide intelligence to the Ukrainian armed forces.
Regarding the Leclerc tanks, the general points out that it is a strategic stock necessary for training, replacement in case of problem and to deal with unforeseen events. Giving them would mean providing lengthy and expensive training and having parts to repair the ones that are damaged.
Should France communicate more about the aid it provides to Ukraine?
At this point he is joined by General Pellistrandi. “We may not be communicating enough, but we can’t be blamed for not doing so.”
France is preparing to do better and produce more and faster. This is the message sent at the beginning of September by the Minister of the Armed Forces, Sébastien Lecornu and expected by the arms manufacturers. Together, they announced their desire to compromise and adapt to the “war economy” that France has entered with the conflict in Ukraine.
Source: BFM TV
