France delivers rocket launching systems to Ukraine
French MRLS LRU. Photo: French Ministry of Defense
The French Ministry of Defense has sent additional LRU multiple rocket launching systems to Ukraine as part of the "Artillery for Ukraine" coalition.
These are the French equivalents of the American MLRS M270, Rubryka reports.
France has transferred two additional systems to Ukraine within this coalition, increasing the total number of French systems to six.
The lance-roquettes unitaire, or LRU for short, is equipped with a modernized fire control system, EFCS, a new navigation system (using GPS), and a new communication system.
In total, 13 out of 57 MLRS of the French army underwent modernization between 2011 and 2014. They were then sent to the composition of the 1st Artillery regiment.
Зеленський подякував президенту Франції за гармати Caesar та ініціативу "Артилерійська коаліція"
Other combat vehicles that were not to be upgraded were placed in storage. Overall, France plans to replace all its M270 by 2027.
The first four LRUs were received by the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the fall of 2022. The first photos of this system in the army appeared in December 2022.
LRU MRLS in the Ukrainian Armed Forces. December 2022. Photo: ArmyInform
Like the American version, the LRU can use high-precision rocket projectiles from the GMLRS family, providing unparalleled accuracy and a firing range of up to 80 km.
"France has the right to lead this coalition given the artillery equipment transferred to Ukraine: about thirty CAESAR self-propelled howitzers, while we had only 75, four LRU multiple launch rocket systems, TRF1 howitzers, and 120mm mortars," said the head of the "Artillery for Ukraine" coalition Jean-Michel Guilloton.
On January 18, France, the USA, and more than 20 other countries created an artillery coalition in Paris to assist Ukraine in repelling Russian aggression.
France will also manufacture 78 CAESAR self-propelled howitzers for Ukraine. Earlier, we reported that France will increase the supply of ammunition to Ukraine.
