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PARIS (AP) \u2014 French Defense Minister S\u00e9bastien Lecornu said France is to deliver \u201chundreds\u201d of armored vehicles by the beginning of next year to Ukraine as part of a new package of military aid for the country that just entered its third year<\/a> since the Russian invasion.<\/p>\n In an interview with the French newspaper La Tribune’s Sunday edition, Lecornu said that \u201cto hold such an extensive front line, the Ukrainian army needs, for example, our armored personnel carriers. It\u2019s absolutely key for troop mobility.\u201d<\/p>\n The French military is currently replacing its old VAB armored personnel carriers that started being used in 1979 by a new generation of armored vehicles. \u201cThis old equipment, still operational, is going directly to Ukraine in large quantities. We\u2019re talking about hundreds (of vehicles) in 2024 and early 2025,\u201d Lecornu said.<\/p>\n Lecornu also said France will provide Ukraine with more anti-aircraft missiles.<\/p>\n The move comes as France’s government is pushing its military industry to boost its production to meet Kyiv\u2019s urgent needs for ammunition.<\/p>\n Lecornu on Tuesday said France will soon be able to deliver 78 Caesar howitzers<\/a> to Ukraine and will increase its supply of shells.<\/p>\n ___<\/p>\n Find more of AP\u2019s coverage of Russia and Ukraine at https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/russia-ukraine<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n