France can ‘quickly’ deliver 78 howitzers to Ukraine

France can soon deliver 78 howitzers to Ukraine. French Defense Minister Lecornu announced this. In addition, France wants to supply 80,000 shells that can be fired by the howitzers.

The howitzer is a type of artillery that can fire shells at targets more than 40 kilometers away. In the last two years of the war against Russia, Ukraine has received howitzers from several countries, including the Netherlands, but never before in such a large number.

At a press conference, Lecornu said that France has signed an agreement with Denmark and Ukraine to finance the Caesar howitzers. He did not say when the weapons would go to Ukraine, but he did say that this could happen soon.

At the beginning of this year, Lecornu said that arms manufacturer Nexter had been able to halve the production time of the Caesar howitzers, making 78 howitzers available to Ukraine this year. Now that France has finalized the financial picture in collaboration with the Danes, they can be delivered.

Dependent on US

According to the French minister, European countries must become less dependent on the United States for their defense. “We know that the security of Europe must fall on the shoulders of Europeans. That is absolutely necessary.”

Earlier this month, EU leaders agreed on €5 billion in additional support for Ukraine. Member states receive money from this pot in exchange for deliveries of ammunition and equipment to Ukraine.