France has quietly but decisively stepped into a frontline role as one of Ukraine’s most impactful Western allies. From elite training missions to advanced weapons systems and air defence support, Paris has committed deeply to Kyiv’s cause – offering not only vital hardware but also shaping the future of Ukraine’s armed forces and its path toward NATO integration.
Since 2022, France has trained nearly 10,000 Ukrainian troops, primarily in France and Poland, in artillery operation, combined arms tactics, and maintenance of Western-supplied weapons. The training does not stop at combat skills. Ukrainian mechanics and logisticians are being taught how to sustain complex systems like the French-designed Caesar howitzers and Mistral air defences – crucial to ensuring battlefield longevity.
The Caesar 155-millimetre self-propelled howitzers, valued for their shoot-and-move capability, have been a cornerstone of Ukraine’s counter-battery fire, used to dismantle Russian artillery with precision from 40 kilometres away. France has delivered 30 of these systems, with six more expected in 2025. Each unit costs approximately €5 million, or around £4.3 million.
France’s delivery of 38 AMX-10RC wheeled tanks, equipped with 105-millimetre guns, has proven valuable in rapid assaults and hit-and-run engagements. Though less armoured than traditional battle tanks, their speed and mobility have been a tactical advantage against Russian forces.
Air power is a key focus of France’s support. Paris has committed 12 Mirage 2000-5F fighter jets to Ukraine, six of which have already been delivered. These aircraft provide not only air defence but also strike capabilities through SCALP cruise missiles, which boast a range of 250 kilometres and have successfully targeted Russian logistics hubs and airfields in occupied territories. These missiles, each valued at around €850,000 (approximately £730,000), offer high precision and deep strike capability.
Ukraine has also benefited from French air-to-ground AASM Hammer bombs and Milan anti-tank missiles. The Hammer bomb system, capable of striking with minimal collateral damage, has been used effectively against Russian supply depots, bridges, and command centres.
France’s contribution to Ukraine’s defence extends beyond training and weapons. As part of NATO’s collective posture, French forces regularly patrol the skies over Eastern Europe. Raphael and Mirage jets have flown missions over the Black Sea, Romania, and the Baltic States. France has also sent air surveillance and refuelling aircraft to strengthen NATO’s readiness.
In 2023, France renewed a €200 million (about £172 million) military fund to enable Ukraine to directly procure French-made equipment. This fund helps bridge critical supply gaps and sustain ongoing battlefield effectiveness as Russia intensifies electronic warfare and drone attacks.
Additionally, France’s participation in NATO’s Sky Shield initiative supports efforts to protect Ukrainian civilian infrastructure from Russian missile attacks and frees up Ukrainian forces for offensive operations.
With the United States increasingly viewed as an unstable and unreliable ally due to internal political gridlock, France’s consistent and professional support has made it a linchpin of Ukraine’s resistance. French weapons, training, and coordination are not merely symbolic gestures – they have had real and lasting effects on the battlefield.
The Kremlin’s aggression is being met with a disciplined and highly capable response, bolstered in no small part by Paris. The Russian dictator’s forces may have quantity, but with France’s help, Ukraine is building the quality to prevail.
