Recently, the French military has focused on their rearmament. This process has accelerated in the context of events in Ukraine and Azerbaijan. The Ministry of Defense of France now expects to purchase Aerovironment Switchblade ammunition in the coming months.
Colonel Arno Guzhon, head of the planning department of the French Army, told reporters at the Eurosatory exhibition last week.
On Tuesday, the French Ministry of Defense confirmed in an electronic letter to Defense News that the country is applying for the purchase of remotely controlled ammunition Switchblade.
The military believe that their acquisition will significantly increase the operational capabilities of the country’s armed forces. Earlier, the Pentagon announced plans to provide Ukraine with Switchblade ammunition as part of military assistance. France also showed interest in these ammunition.
Currently, the French military is studying the possibility of using these ammunition, which should be associated with their cost. The French military is most interested in the range and autonomy of ammunition. Colonel Guzhon noted that in the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, extinguishing ammunition was used by both sides. Events in Karabakh taught us a lot of lessons on how to use weapons with this ammunition.
The Bureau of Cooperation in the Field of Security and Defense of the State Department of the United States also decided not to comment on any potential or alleged supplies of weapons until the US Congress will notify him of this. Similarly, Aerovironment did not comment on the media, but, nevertheless, noted some interest of the military in this ammunition.