France bolsters Ukraine's defences with advanced military aid package
French authorities have announced another aid package for Ukraine, which includes ammunition and heavy military equipment. This time, the transfer to the front lines includes, among others, VAB armoured personnel carriers. We discuss their most important features and capabilities.
The information regarding additional support for Ukraine was confirmed in an interview with "Le Monde" by the French Minister of Defence, Sebastien Lecornu. This was announced just a few days after the announcement of aid in the form of 78 Caesar howitzers and 80,000 155 mm calibre shells, confirming Paris's strong commitment to helping Ukraine.
French media reported that this time, the aid package included Aster 30 missiles and several hundred VAB armoured personnel carriers (Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé). The deliveries are to be executed in 2024 and the beginning of 2025. Some sources add that, as part of the promised aid package, France may also send reconnaissance wheeled armoured vehicles AMX-10 RC to the front.
French armoured carriers VAB for Ukraine
The VAB armoured personnel carriers started being manufactured by the French company GIAT Industries in Saint-Chamond in 1974. Despite their age, they still provide significant capabilities, as confirmed by the Ukrainians. They received a batch of these vehicles as part of one of the earlier aid packages from France. Social media have posted recordings confirming that the VAB armoured personnel carriers saved the lives of Ukrainian soldiers from small arms fire and mines.
The VAB is a vehicle that was produced in two variants differing in drivetrain configuration - 4x4 and 6x6. In both cases, the top speed is about 90 km/h (approximately 56 mph). The interior, in addition to a two-person crew, can also accommodate 8-10 soldiers. A significant feature of the VAB is its amphibious capabilities (the ability to cross water bodies). The armament consists of either a 7.62 mm or 12.7 mm calibre machine gun.
Some of the armoured personnel carriers were reinforced by the French with additional ceramic armours. This increased the level of crew protection from enemy fire (to Level IV of the STANAG 4569 standard), but in exchange increased the weight and removed amphibious capabilities. In selected versions, the French also installed additional armament in the form of a 25 mm cannon.
The mentioned Aster 30 missiles can be used by the Ukrainians in air defence systems such as SAMP/T (Surface-to-Air Missile Platform/Terrain). The declared range of such a system is even up to 120 km (about 75 miles) in the case of aerodynamic targets and a maximum of about 60 km (approximately 37 miles) for ballistic targets.
