Yesterday, France’s Defense Minister, Sebastien Lecornu, announced that the country has instructed companies involved in the manufacturing of Aster air defense missiles to give priority to fulfilling those contracts.
During a meeting with his Italian counterpart Guido Crosetto in Calvi, Corsica, Lecornu stated that it was the first instance in which he utilized his special abilities to enforce queue-jumping for defense orders. This suggests that civilian orders will now receive a lower priority.
“Players in the defense industry must understand that they have to work faster and that the country’s future depends on this work,” said Crosetto.
MBDA, a pan-European manufacturer, produces the Aster 15 and 30 missiles. Italy and France have given Ukraine an undisclosed quantity of these missiles to aid in its defense against Russian aggressors.
The Houthi rebels in Yemen have launched drones that target ships in the Red Sea, prompting Kyiv to request more missiles.
According to an informed source, one of the main suppliers impacted by the order is Aubert et Duval, a company that manufactures specialized steel used in various products such as submarines and the barrels for Caesar truck-mounted cannons that are supplied to Ukraine.
The frequent transportation of missile components across the Alps during the manufacturing process is a hindrance to production.
Lecornu emphasized the necessity of streamlining the bureaucratic processes involved in transporting weapons between France and Italy.
The final assembly of Aster missiles is currently underway in France. However, Lecornu expressed a positive view towards Rome’s request to establish a second production line in Italy.
Source: Newsroom
