France's AMX-10RC armored vehicles to reach Ukraine this week
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France is sending AMX-10RC armored fighting vehicles to Ukraine.
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AMX-10 RC in exercise at the combat training center (CENTAC) in Mailly le camp, September 2020 (Officier communication du 4e RCh / Wikimedia Commons)
French-made AMX-10RC armored fighting vehicles, sent from Paris to Kiev, will reach Ukraine within the next few days, Emmanuel Chiva, director of the General Directorate for Armament, said on Monday.
"France has announced the supplies of AMX-10RC light wheeled tanks. They are currently on their way and will arrive in the next few days," Chiva told French broadcaster BFM Business.
The official avoided giving the particular number of vehicles sent to Kiev, saying that this was confidential information.
In February, the Forces Operations outlet quoted its sources in the French military as saying that 14 AMX-10RCs will be sent to Ukraine.
French President Emmanuel Macron said that he was considering sending Ukraine combat aircraft and Leclerc heavy tanks.
Also last week, French defense chief Sebastien Lecornu said that talks with Kiev were being held in Poland about the French military's potential training of Ukrainian pilots.
France had already delivered six 155-millimeter (6.1 inches) TRF1 howitzers and two Crotale air defense systems, in addition to 18 CAESAR artillery systems to Ukraine.
Mistral transportable lightweight anti-air missile systems (MANPADS), the MILAN anti-tank guided missile system, and about 60 armored vehicles and HDP-2A2 anti-tank mines have also been delivered to Ukraine.
In addition, France has also sent military equipment, ammunition and bullets, fuel, first aid kits, and dry rations, as well as means of radiation, chemical, and biological protection to Ukraine.
Sending arms supplies by the West to Ukraine, Russia reiterated, can only escalate the conflict. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that all the weapons sent would be a legitimate target for the Russian army.
It is worth noting that during phone talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier in January, French President Emmanuel Macron said Paris will send Kiev an unspecified number of 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.
The French AMX-10 RC is an armored fighting vehicle produced by GIAT for reconnaissance operations and can hold four individuals.
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.
In mid-October, France and Ukraine signed an agreement covering 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.
