France is tripling the production of 155-millimeter shells to increase supplies to Ukraine.
In the French Ministry of Defense, they have stated that the increase in shell production will allow them to send up to 3,000 155mm shells to Ukraine per month, starting in 2024.
"From 1,000 shells in January 2023 to 3,000 per month in January 2024," said French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu.
In addition to ammunition, the French company Nexter Systems will also increase the production of the Caesar self-propelled howitzers from two to eight per month, starting next year.
Lecornu stated that the country's move to increase arms and ammunition production is a "concrete result" of the transition to a "military economy," which French President Emmanuel Macron has called for.
It is reported that in such an economy, Europe will require a "much larger defense industry" to avoid excessive dependence on other countries.
In response, Paris has adjusted its six-year defense spending plan to account for the new geopolitical situation.
A total of 413 billion euros (436 billion dollars) will be allocated for defense from 2024 to 2030, making it France's largest military expenditure in over five decades.
Macron anticipates that the military economy will continue for a "long time" as long as Russia continues its attacks on Ukraine.
At the beginning of October, it was announced that France would provide Ukraine with an additional six Caesar self-propelled 155mm howitzers produced by Nexter.
Additionally, an agreement was signed for the maintenance of the Caesar self-propelled howitzers and the production of certain components at one of the Ukrainian facilities.
In September, Ukraine and France discussed the possibilities of initiating joint arms production.
