France to train up to 2,000 Ukrainian soldiers

France will train up to 2,000 Ukrainian soldiers in its territory.

French Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu made a corresponding statement in an interview with Le Parisien, Ouest France reports.

These soldiers "will be seconded to our units for several weeks," Lecornu explained, saying that the training will focus on three levels: general combat training, training for specific needs reported by Ukraine, and training with the equipment provided.

France will also supply Ukraine with Crotale air defense systems, Lecornu said, clarifying a statement made Wednesday by President Emmanuel Macron.

The number of Crotale short-range air defense systems that will be sent to Kyiv "is being agreed on with the Ukrainians" but "will be significant to allow them to protect their sky," he said.

"We have twelve of them, but this is the equipment that should be phased out and replaced by MAMBAs (air defense systems equipped with Aster missiles with a range of up to 50 or even 100 km), so it will not create a deficit for the French army," said the minister, noting that "the goal is to complete this operation within the next two months."

Lecornu also noted that apart from 18 Caesar howitzers already sent to Kyiv, discussions were ongoing on the supply of six additional guns and that France was studying "the supply of surface-to-surface missiles such as LRU [MLRS]" in response to Ukraine's request.

As reported, on October 12, French President Emmanuel Macron announced the delivery of radar and air defense systems to Ukraine in the coming weeks.