TSAMTO, March 27. The French authorities plan to double the production of military equipment by the end of 2023 and accelerate the delivery time of VIVT.
This, as RIA Novosti reports, was stated by French Defense Minister Sebastian Lecorny.
"The first results are already visible. A few examples: Thales will double the production of Ground Master radar, and will start producing 24 units per year instead of 12 units, starting in September. The production of CAESAR SG at Nexter's facilities will also double, and eight units will be produced per month instead of four; at the same time, the time from the moment of order to delivery will be reduced from 30 to 17 months. Another example is that the production of Mistral MANPADS will double to 40 units. a month by the end of 2023, and the production period will be reduced from 30 to 15 months, " he said in an interview with the newspaper Echos.
In addition, France, together with the military departments of Italy and the United Kingdom, asked the manufacturer of the Aster missiles for the Samp/T anti-aircraft missile system to reduce the production time from 40 to 18 months, S. Lecornyu said.
The minister added that France has already approved the localization of some strategic military industries.
"In addition to accelerating the pace of production, we are also fighting for the localization of production of key weapons systems in France. We have approved eight localization projects and seven more are currently being studied; a decision on them should be made before the beginning of summer," RIA Novosti quotes the head of the military department.
As the agency reminds, earlier France announced joint work with military-industrial companies to accelerate and increase the production of ammunition for both Ukraine and its own army, as well as the resumption of production on its territory of about 20 items of "strategically important" military products.
Paris has already sent Ukraine six 155-mm towed TRF1 howitzers and two Crotale air defense systems. It was also reported that Ukraine received from France 18 SG CAESAR. Ukraine also received the Mistral MANPADS and the Milan ATGM, about 60 armored personnel carriers and HDP-2A2 anti-tank mines. In addition to weapons, France supplied Ukraine with uniforms, fuel, shells and cartridges, first aid kits and dry rations, radiation, chemical and biological protection equipment.
Earlier, the country's Foreign Ministry also reported on Paris' plans to send an additional 12 SG CAESAR to Kiev. Italy and France have agreed to supply Kiev with a Samp/T-Mamba air defense system jointly developed this spring. Also, 12 French AMX-10RC wheeled tanks have recently arrived in Ukraine.
