France says it needs to strengthen its air defense as it transfers SAMs to Ukraine

The French government is looking for air defense systems to protect Paris during the Olympic Games, as its own systems are not enough due to the transfer to Ukraine.

Politico reported on this.

After the active transfer of air defense systems to Ukraine, Paris was left without protection by its own air defense systems.

At present, the French Ministry of Defense has reported that it did not have enough of the necessary systems, which was why representatives had turned to Greece.

Greece has been using French Crotale short-range surface-to-air missile systems since 2003, and has nine systems in service with the Hellenic Air Force.

“If our allies ask for a specific period of time — in this case the Olympic Games — a specific assistance, which does not in any way affects the country’s defense capability, this will be done, but always after coordination and consultation between the two sides,” government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis told reporters during a regular briefing.

The reinforcement is to take place only for the period of the Olympic Games, which will ensure a short-term deployment of the system in some areas of Paris’ defense.

In addition to the potential systems of the Hellenic Air Force, French Crotale NG air defense systems, SAMP/T medium-range systems, and combat aircraft consisting of Mirage 2000-5 and Rafale fighters will be used to protect Paris’ airspace.

For the first time, the French government is requesting other countries to help protect the capital’s airspace.

Militarnyi previously reported that the country did and would continue to transfer decommissioned weapons and equipment from the French Armed Forces to Ukraine.

This statement was made while answering a journalist’s question about how he responds to criticism that the transfer of weapons from the French Armed Forces to Ukraine weakens France’s security.

Lecornu noted that the transfer of weapons had not affected national security, as the weapons being transferred had been decommissioned.