France to send self-propelled ferries to support Ukraine’s logistics

The French company CEFA demonstrated the capabilities of EFA ferries, which are being prepared for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. 

The French special envoy for assistance and recovery in Ukraine, Pierre Heilbronn, announced this, Rubryka reports.

What's the problem?

During military operations, Ukrainian soldiers face many challenges. The need to cross water bodies and damaged transportation infrastructure is just one of them.

Self-propelled ferries are used to enable movement and logistical support in such areas.

What's the solution?

France will provide Ukraine with EFA self-propelled ferries, which can be deployed in five minutes. Pierre Heilbronn explained that the short deployment time of the ferries makes them an effective tool for transporting troops and equipment across rivers and other water bodies.

"I checked their incredible efficiency. For example, they deploy in less than 5 minutes. CEFA won a contract to supply 16 machines!" the special envoy wrote.

How does it work?

The French company has a contract to supply Ukraine with eight EFA ferries and eight SDZ engineering unmanned vehicles from its stocks.

The SDZ from the CEFA company is classified as a medium-sized demining system called Système de Déminage de Zone (zone demining system). The vehicle is resistant to anti-tank mines. The main thing is that military or civilian activities are guaranteed under safe conditions after the machine passes the mined territory.

The EFA complex can be used as a ferry to transport personnel and equipment and, when needed, as a pontoon bridge as part of several such systems. The vehicle has a land range of 700 km. If traveling at a speed of 70 km/h on land, it only goes 12 km/h on water. In one hour, the ferry can make 10-12 crossings over a river 100 meters wide and 8-10 crossings over a river 200 meters wide.

It can be used in conjunction with other EFAs as a floating bridge. One unit has a span of 23.6 m. Four units can be connected in less than 10 minutes to form a bridge 100 meters long. The EFA is operated by a crew of four – two drivers, a commander, and an operator.

France's Assistance to Ukraine

Since Russian started its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, France has been one of the European countries actively providing financial and military support.

Recently, it became known that from January 1, 2024, the Artillery Coalition for Strengthening the Ukrainian Army, under which Ukraine hopes to receive additional Caesar self-propelled artillery systems and ammunition for them, as well as to introduce artificial intelligence into their management, will start operating in Paris.

On January 18 in Paris, the "artillery coalition" was launched to strengthen Ukraine's capabilities against Russia. This coalition is led by France and the United States and operates within the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in the "Ramstein" format.

France will also produce 78 Caesar artillery systems for Ukraine. It is noted that the Caesar SPGs are the "flagship of French artillery."

Earlier, it was reported that France would increase the supply of ammunition to Ukraine. The possibility of strengthening cooperation in the defense sector and establishing logistical support between the countries is also being considered.

Next year, pilots of the Armed Forces of Ukraine will start arriving in France for training as part of military aid.

The subsidiary company, Verney-Carron of the French Cybergun, signed a contract with "Ukrspetsexport" for €36 million to supply various weapons to Ukraine.

France has also provided long-range missiles to support the advance of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

As reported, France has also provided the Ukrainian Armed Forces with a powerful armored package.