France Announces 'Artillery Coalition' for Ukraine and Production of 'Cesar' Howitzers
France has announced the creation of an "artillery coalition" of Ukraine's allies to increase the supply of ammunition, which the Ukrainian army says is sorely lacking, Nouvelles-Dujour reports.
According to French Defence Minister Sébastien Lecorneuil, Ukraine is to receive six Caesars in the near future, with the production time reduced from three years to 18 months.
"France's support for Ukraine will continue. In 2024, about forty Scalp missiles and several hundred A2SM self-propelled bombs will be delivered. They offer the ability for precise remote strikes to put pressure on the rear of the Russian system," he wrote on social media.
The French defence minister also estimates that by the end of January, Paris should be providing Ukraine with 3,000 155mm shells per month, compared to 1,000 in April 2023.
France has moved from producing 1,000 rounds per month for Ukraine to 2,000 between April 2023 and January 2024. The goal is 3,000 munitions per month during 2024.
So far, out of the total target of one million rounds of ammunition promised to Ukraine by the European Union by spring 2024, only 300,000 rounds have actually been delivered, which is far less than Ukraine needs.
In his turn, Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Emmanuel Macron in a telephone conversation for launching the Artillery Coalition initiative and for France's commitment to produce dozens of advanced Caesar artillery systems and ammunition for Ukraine in 2024.
The parties discussed in detail the situation on the battlefield and other defence needs of Ukraine. In particular, the priorities for inclusion in the next military aid package from France.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed the importance of further strengthening Ukraine's air defence system, according to the website of the President of Ukraine.
The presidents of Ukraine and France instructed their political and military advisers to begin preparing for Emmanuel Macron's upcoming visit to Ukraine and to accelerate negotiations on a bilateral agreement on security guarantees within the framework of the G7 Vilnius Declaration.