France will provide additional interceptor missiles to Ukraine, which is facing a shortage of air defenses due to Russian airstrikes, and will also move up deliveries of the latest air-defense equipment. It also reaffirmed plans to grant a production license so interceptor missiles can be manufactured directly in Ukraine.
On the 22nd, according to Reuters and others, France President Emmanuel Macron said on X (formerly Twitter) after a call with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that he had told President Zelenskyy France would strengthen support by sending interceptor missiles and continuing cooperation.
President Zelenskyy also said that he discussed Ukraine's air-defense shortfalls with the French side that day and noted, "We agreed to move up the supply of the latest French equipment and missiles." He went on to express gratitude that France is ready to provide a license to produce missiles.
France's additional support came as Russia's airstrikes on Ukrainian city centers have intensified. The previous day, a shopping mall in Kryvyi Rih in central Ukraine was hit by two Russian drone attacks, killing at least 16 people and injuring more than 130. Ukraine has recently appealed to the West to expand air-defense support, citing a shortage of interceptor missiles to stop Russia's ballistic missile attacks.
The key equipment Ukraine is seeking to introduce is the next-generation surface-to-air missile system SAMP/T-NG, jointly developed by France and Italy. Designed to intercept ballistic missiles, Ukraine plans to introduce four SAMP/T-NG systems. According to a joint declaration France and Ukraine released last month, France will deploy two existing SAMP/T systems to Ukraine while the new system is being produced.
The supply of interceptor missiles will also be moved up. France and Italy agreed to quickly deliver by Oct. the previously agreed quantities of Aster 30 missiles used in SAMP/T. France and Italy are also pushing to provide licenses so Aster 30 can be produced in Ukraine and to start local production before the end of this year.
France has also allowed local Ukrainian production of SCALP cruise missiles and AASM precision-guided bombs. President Macron said the latest support is a continuation of the ballistic missile defense coalition launched last month and defense industry cooperation between France and Ukraine.
Leaders of Ukraine's supporter nations, including France, Britain and Germany, will hold a "coalition of will" meeting on the 24th to further discuss military support for Ukraine as Russia's offensive continues.