Despite depleting stockpile, Paris to send Kiev armored vehicles
French president informs Ukrainian president that Paris will supply Kiev with AXM-10 RC fighting vehicles.
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The French AMX-10 RC fighting armored vehicle (AFP)
According to a French official, Paris will be providing Kiev with AMX-10 RC armored fighting vehicles.
The French decision came after a call held between the presidents of the countries.
"This is the first time that Western-made armored vehicles are being delivered in support of the Ukrainian army," the official said on Wednesday.
However, no further details regarding the date of supply or the number of vehicles were disclosed.
Read more: EU Council adopts $18.9bln package for Ukraine loans
The French AMX-10 RC is an armored fighting vehicle produced by GIAT for reconnaissance operations and can hold four individuals.
In a tweet, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked French President Emmanuel Macron "for the decision to transfer light tanks and Bastion APCs to Ukraine."
On December 20 of 2022, French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed that France had delivered rocket launchers and weapons to Ukraine and would send more in early 2023.
The weapons included new Caesar mobile artillery units.
It is noteworthy that since the start of the Ukraine war until December, France has supplied Ukraine with 18 Caesar units, a 155-mm howitzer mounted on a six-wheeled truck chassis, capable of firing shells at ranges of more than 40 kilometers (25 miles).
Paris has also delivered anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles as well as armored personnel carriers.
In mid-October, France and Ukraine signed an agreement over security and defense grants. The deal is meant to assist Ukraine's forces in boosting its military capabilities against Russia and set an initial aid amount of €100 million.
In the same context, French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu said Macron has agreed to train up to 2,000 Ukrainian soldiers in the country, adding that France had already delivered 18 Caesar Howitzers to Ukraine and that talks were underway to send six more.
On the other hand, Florian Philippot, the leader of the far-right movement The Patriots, described last December France's continuation in supplying weapons to Ukraine at a time when the French army lacks weapons as "total madness".
Armée française :
— Florian Philippot (@f_philippot) December 10, 2022
« Les stocks militaires ont globalement disparu...» !
Mais on continue d’envoyer armes et munitions à Zelensky ! 🤦
Arrêtons cette folie totale ! https://t.co/YatLTL33aP
"Military stocks have generally disappeared...!" But we continue to send weapons and ammunition to Zelensky! Let's stop this total madness!" Philippot wrote on Twitter.
