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War in Ukraine: the military material that France has delivered to Kyiv since the start of the conflict

Caesar, tanks, air defense… BFMTV.com compiles a list of military hardware sent by Paris to support the Ukrainian war effort.

Emmanuel Macron announced to his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday that France would supply him with French-made AMX-10 RC light battle tanks as part of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This is the first time that Kyiv has received tanks of Western design.

France is keeping low-key about the amount of its military aid to Ukraine. According to a ranking by the Kiel Institute for World Economy, a German think-tank, it would occupy the tenth position for its military support, behind the United States, Germany, Poland or the United Kingdom. In addition to the desire for discretion, your ability to help is also limited by the low stock of equipment available.

• Caesar cannons

Ukrainian fire on Russian positions using a French Caesar cannon, December 28, 2022
Ukrainian fire on Russian positions using a French Caesar cannon, December 28, 2022 © Sameer Al-DOUMY © 2019 AFP

France has supplied 18 Caesar 155mm guns to Ukraine. These howitzers are especially appreciated for their maneuverability: they are mounted directly on a truck. They have a range of 40 km and each weapon has its own ballistic computer and navigation system.

They can fire six rounds per minute. The entire device makes it possible to reduce the time between arrival at the firing point (less than 60 seconds for battery start) and departure (less than 40 seconds for battery start) to less than three minutes, after having delivered this salvo of six shots, which made it possible to avoid the counterattack.

In addition, Paris delivered several thousand shells and trained Ukrainian gunners in the handling of Caesar guns. France has 76 in total, and those sent to the Ukraine are taken from the Army’s endowment. He plans to provide six to twelve more, taken from an order for Denmark.

“We are still in discussion with Denmark, the issue is not closed.”commented on Wednesday the Élysée.

Some fifteen 155mm TRF1 towed guns, the predecessors of the Caesars, were also shipped to the Ukraine, but they are less maneuverable because they are not mounted on a truck. They are only motorized to move at less than 10 km/h to change position after shots.

• Anti-tank missiles

Kurdish fighters train on the placement of a Milan anti-tank missile at the infantry training center of the German Armed Forces in southern Germany, on October 2, 2014. (Illustration)
Kurdish fighters practice positioning a Milan anti-tank missile at the infantry training center of the German Armed Forces in southern Germany, October 2, 2014. (Illustration) © JENS-ULRICH KOCH / AFP

France also supplies various types of missiles to the Kyiv army. First of all, anti-tank missiles, including the Milan, a very accurate and powerful weapon, suitable for fighting tanks, armored vehicles and buildings. Its successor, the Akeron missile, is also used in Ukraine.

Delivered en masse by the United States, the Javelin anti-tank missile, which has become a symbol of the Ukrainian resistance, is also sent by Paris. Equipped with two explosive charges, it can pierce the most sophisticated tanks: the first charge explodes on contact with the tank, releasing the second, stronger armor-piercing charge.

This photo shows a mural created by the Kailas-V creative group, depicting a symbolic Madonna holding an anti-tank missile, inspired by the project.
This photo shows a mural created by the Kailas-V creative group, depicting a symbolic Madonna holding an anti-tank missile, inspired by the project. “Saint Javelin”, in Kyiv, on June 14, 2022, in the middle of the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. © Sergei SUPINSKY / AFP

With a range of 2,500 meters, it can be used in direct attack mode to destroy a wall or, if fired upwards, to shoot down a low-flying aircraft. It can be used for bell attacks: the missile rises up to 160 meters high and falls on the target vertically, like a “javelin”.

• Anti-aircraft missiles

A Sol-Air Mistral battery missile, as part of the mission. "Titan"which aims to protect the facilities of the rocket launch sites, in French Guiana, on October 22, 2021. (illustration)
A Sol-Air Mistral battery missile, as part of the mission. “Titan”which aims to protect the facilities of rocket launch sites, in Guyana, on October 22, 2021. (illustration) © Jody AMIET / AFP

Ukrainian air defense is crucial in this conflict in which Russia is increasing its attacks, particularly on the country’s cities or energy infrastructure. France thus supplied very short-range Mistral anti-aircraft missiles, capable of hitting a ground target at a distance of 6,000 meters and an air target at an altitude of 3,000 meters.

More recently, Emmanuel Macron announced that he wanted to help strengthen anti-aircraft systems in Ukraine. The Crotale missile is especially well suited to the current situation with Russian attacks and the use of kamikaze drones like the ones Iran supplies to Moscow.

It is a medium-range equipment that shoots at 9,000 meters of altitude and 15 kilometers of range. It is intended to fight missiles, low-altitude, low-speed aircraft, and drones.

• Armored front vehicles

(He drew)
(illustration) © THOMAS SAMSON / AFP

The VAB (Armoured Front Vehicle), which entered service in 1976, is currently the most widely used troop transport vehicle in the French army. The latter has ceded about sixty to the Ukraine. He is usually armed with a machine gun, but can also be equipped with a machine gun or missile system.

While Paris will deliver AMX-10 RCn light battle tanks, Volodymyr Zelensky also announced in a tweet the dispatch of personnel transport vehicles Acmat Bastion. These are light vehicles manufactured by the French firm Acmat, which can carry up to ten passengers. On the weapon side, they have either a machine gun or a turret.

• Rocket launchers

Since February 24 and the beginning of the Russian invasion, Ukraine has received Unitary Rocket Launchers (LRUs) from France. Last November, Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov posted a photo on Twitter thanking France for the handover.

With an attack capability of more than 70 km, they make it possible to hit distant targets, for example, Russian logistics chains or their rear bases, or to attack the front while being out of range of enemy fire.

• Various aids

Military engineering, electric generators… Furthermore, beyond humanitarian aid, France’s support is diverse and multiple. In particular, it provides intelligence with various satellite observation systems. Thus, several times a day, the Ukrainian General Staff obtains images that can help the Ukrainian positions at the front.

Paris also provides fuel and ammunition, as well as participating in training missions for Ukrainian soldiers and maintenance teams. It also sends individual equipment such as helmets and bulletproof vests.

During his recent visit to Kyiv, the Minister of the French Armed Forces, Sébastien Lecornu, mentioned “an innovative fund of 200 million euros”which will allow Ukraine to buy equipment directly from French manufacturers, in accordance with its priorities in dealing with the Russian military.

Author: Salome Robles
Source: BFM TV

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