France to Transfer AMX-10RC to Ukraine Using Frozen Russian Assets

France has prepared a new military aid package for Ukraine, funded by proceeds from frozen Russian assets, which includes various military vehicles and equipment.

According to Le Figaro, citing French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu in an interview with Le Tribune, the package, valued at €195 million, will include AMX-10RC combat reconnaissance vehicles and VAB armored personnel carriers.

It’s also important to note that the package will feature 155-mm artillery shells, precision bombs with an AASM kit, and other weapons.

The transfer of this equipment will be financed by Russian assets frozen by France, allowing the country to continue supporting Ukraine’s defense efforts.

It is worth noting that France is currently the only independent European manufacturer of military equipment, which allows it to avoid external pressure from the United States and transfer significant amounts of weapons without U.S. approval.

As part of the ongoing modernization of its ground forces under the Scorpion program, France is decommissioning a significant number of VAB and AMX-10RC vehicles, which newer models will replace. This allows France to transfer decommissioned vehicles to Ukraine immediately after they are retired from active service.

Furthermore, Lecornu announced that between 2024 and 2026, France plans to increase production of high-precision AASM kits, considering their future transfer to Ukraine.

Miltarnyi recently reported that French President Emmanuel Macron directed an acceleration of military aid to Ukraine to compensate for the diminishing support from the United States.

Macron also emphasized that France is ready to provide its intelligence data to Ukraine instead of the U.S.

French aid

A month ago, French Defense Minister Lecornu announced that the first French Mirage 2000-5F multi-role fighter jets had been delivered to Ukraine to address the urgent needs of the Ukrainian Air Force.

Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, France has provided military aid to Ukraine totaling €6 billion, including weapons, ammunition, SCALP EG cruise missiles, AASM bombs, combat aircraft, drones, armored vehicles, and military training.

Ukrainian artillery crews have also been using French wheeled 155mm Caesar self-propelled guns to strike Russian forces.