French defense companies have increased their production of self-propelled guns, artillery shells, fighter jets and anti-air missiles, according to Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu.
In a statement on social media Tuesday, the minister said the boosted ammunition and weapons output reflects France’s shift to a “war economy.”
He added that the ramped-up production of war equipment would replace the defense capabilities that France had dispatched for Ukraine’s use.
France will manufacture more 155 mm shells in the months ahead. The target is to deliver 3,000 shells per month in January 2024 from 1,000 at the start of 2023, Lecornu said.
He noted that Nexter Systems will accelerate its production of the truck-mounted 155 mm howitzer Caesar to push out eight systems per month starting next year. The company currently manufactures six systems a month.
Lecornu announced in September that Nexter will supply six Caesar systems to Ukraine, adding to the 49 howitzers that France and Denmark previously shipped to the war-torn country.
Defense News said that the company also provides operational support for Ukraine, employing virtual reality to help the eastern European country’s engineers maintain the Caesar systems.
According to Lecornu, France’s embrace of the war economy will see MBDA assembling 40 Mistral short-range surface-to-air missiles per month and Dassault Aviation rolling out three Rafale fighter aircraft within the same span.
He added that Thales has committed to double its radar production capacity.
