French President Emmanuel Macron told his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday that France would send French-made light tanks to repel the Russian invasion, the French presidency announced.
‘The president wants to increase aid’ to Ukraine “by accepting delivery of AMX-10 RC light tanks”said an aide after the two leaders spoke by phone.
“It is the first time tanks of Western design are delivered to the Ukrainian Armed Forces”he added.
Still, it was unclear how many tanks will be shipped and when they will be delivered.
France’s defense ministry said defense ministers from the two countries would discuss these details shortly.
The AMX-10 RC tanks are very light and wheeled and therefore “very mobile” – “maybe dated, but powerful,” said one consultant.
Zelensky wrote on Twitter that he thanked Macron “for the decision to transfer light tanks” to Ukraine.
Had a long and detailed conversation with the President of France @Emmanuel Macron on the current situation. Thank you for deciding to transfer light tanks and Bastion APCs to Ukraine, and for stepping up cooperation with partners in the same direction. 1/2
– Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) January 4, 2023
Paris has already delivered missile launchers, air defense missile systems, anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles and armored personnel carriers to Ukraine.
Source: DN
