Ukraine is ready for purchasing weapons directly from French manufacturers
22 December, 2023 Crotale NG surface-to-air missile system. Photo credits: French Ministry of Defense Ukraine is ready for purchasing weapons directly from French manufacturers.
Defense Minister Rustem Umierov announced this possibility. He also called on French defense companies to jointly produce weapons in Ukraine. Umierov said this during a meeting with a delegation of French senators who visited Ukraine.
The Minister also thanked French people for their support.
Meeting of French and Ukrainian delegations in Kyiv, December 2023. Photo credits: Rustem Umierov
As previously reported, in September, Ukraine and France discussed the possibility of launching joint arms production. At the beginning of October, it became known that France will provide Ukraine with six more 155-mm CAESAR self-propelled howitzers manufactured by Nexter.
Production of Caesar self-propelled howitzers
In addition, an agreement was signed to maintain Caesar self-propelled howitzers and manufacture some parts at a Ukrainian enterprise.
Also, France will triple production of 155mm ammunition to increase supplies to Ukraine. The increase in ammunition production will allow to send Ukraine up to 3,000 155-mm shells per month, starting in 2024.
155mm shells at a factory in Tarbes, France. Photo illustration
Ukraine ordered firearms from the French company Verney-Carron S.A., which specializes in the production of rifles and accessories.
VDC15 assault rifle.
Photo credits: VERNEY-CARRON
The agreement provides for the production and transfer to the Armed Forces of Ukraine of about 12,000 rifles and 600 40 mm under-barrel grenade launchers.
The relevant framework agreement was signed between Verney-Carron S.A. and Ukrspetsexport for EUR36 million.
Hulls of 155mm projectiles produced by Forges de Tarbes.
Photo by Remi Benoit
In addition, since the beginning of this summer, Ukraine has begun purchasing large batches of hulls for 155-mm artillery ammunition from the French Forges de Tarbes factory.