France will provide Ukraine with an additional 12 CAESAR self-propelled artillery systems, maintain the weapons already provided and organize training for the Ukrainian military, French Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu said on Twitter following a meeting with Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksiy Reznikov.
"The Ukraine Support Fund allows us to provide 12 additional Caesar self-propelled artillery systems to help Ukraine. France is a reliable and strong ally of Ukraine, and we honour the courage and strength of Ukrainian soldiers," said the head of the French Defence Ministry.
- Sebastien Lecornu also said that France would provide:
- Maintaining the equipment already transferred, including Caesar howitzers, in good working order. Several tens of millions of euros will be allocated for maintenance under the Ukraine Support Fund.
- Supplying fuel and ammunition for the equipment already provided.
- Organizing training for the military. By the summer, 2,000 Ukrainian soldiers will be trained in France. Also, by the end of the month, France will send 150 instructors who will train 600 Ukrainian soldiers per month.
- Sufficient stocks of missiles for the Crotale anti-aircraft missile system. Ukraine will also receive a GM 200 radar as part of the Support Fund.