France is ramping up its military support for Ukraine as the conflict with Russia continues to escalate. On March 10, 2025, Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced the dispatch of AMX-10RC combat reconnaissance vehicles and VAB armored personnel carriers, aiming to bolster Ukraine’s defenses. This military aid package will also include 155-millimeter artillery shells and precision bombs outfitted with the AASM kit.
"The package will include 155-millimeter artillery shells, precision bombs with the AASM kit, and other weaponry,” Lecornu stated, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the assistance. This support is being financed through the utilization of frozen Russian assets, allowing France to continue its backing of Ukraine’s defense efforts without reliance on other nations' resources.
The AMX-10RC, weighing 20 tons, is lauded for its advanced capabilities. This combat reconnaissance vehicle, equipped with six tires and boasting a range of 800 kilometers, features a 105-millimeter cannon capable of destroying armored vehicles from 2,000 meters away. Its arsenal includes 38 projectiles, two 7.62-millimeter machine guns, and eight smoke grenade launchers, making it suitable for both offensive and defensive missions.
Historically, France stands out as the only independent European manufacturer of military equipment, which enables it to sidestep external pressures and deliver significant quantities of arms without needing explicit approval from the United States. The country is also undergoing significant updates to its military assets: under the Scorpion program, France is dismantling older models like the VAB and AMX-10RC to replace them with modern designs.
Beyond this hardware, Emmanuel Macron has ordered accelerated military aid to Ukraine, aiming to offset diminishing support from the United States. Macron's administration is prepared not only to supply weaponry but also to provide intelligence data to aid Ukraine's strategy.
Simultaneously, on the battlefield, Ukrainian forces made headlines for utilizing US-made M712 Copperhead artillery shells for the first time. These 155-millimeter laser-guided precision projectiles successfully executed strikes against Russian military observation posts on the front line of the 47th Ukrainian Mechanized Brigade.
"Our forces utilized precision projectiles to destroy Russian observation posts,” noted Forces News. The Copperhead shells, developed during the 1970s and retired from the US Army’s active arsenal, utilize laser guidance to accurately target enemy command posts, ammunition depots, and concealed vehicles. Their appearance on the Ukrainian front is particularly interesting as they were previously replaced by other munitions, such as the GPS-dependent Excalibur shells, which lost effectiveness amid intensified Russian electronic warfare.
With capabilities reaching up to 16 kilometers, the Copperhead rounds are noted for their resilience against electronic interference. This technical advantage adds another layer of complexity to the current military engagements, particularly as both sides evolve their strategies.
According to reports, the Copperhead munitions, no longer manufactured, likely arrived from older stockpiles, anticipated to have been supplied toward the end of President Joe Biden's tenure. This supplies Ukraine with much-needed artillery capabilities just as they seek to return the momentum on the battlefield.
Overall, France’s commitment to enhancing Ukraine's military capacity, coupled with the innovative use of older but effective weaponry like the Copperhead shells, highlights the adaptable and dynamic nature of modern warfare. With these developments, both nations are positioning themselves strategically as the conflict deepens, showcasing the pivotal role international military aid plays in contemporary conflicts.