France will pressure arms manufacturers to speed up aid to Ukraine and is preparing the transfer of 78 Caesar howitzers and 400 drones.

French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu said he is ready to use his powers to requisition industrial capacity or impose priorities on arms manufacturers to speed up the production of weapons and ammunition needed on the battlefield in Ukraine.

He explained that he could requisition stocks or order companies to prioritize certain orders, citing MBDA’s Aster missiles as a potential case for such a move. Lecornu “does not rule out that this will happen in the coming weeks.”

According to the AP, Paris will soon supply Ukraine with 78 155 mm Caesar howitzers and artillery shells. Lecornu also stated that authorities from France, Ukraine, and Denmark have agreed to jointly finance the supply of howitzers.

This year, France plans to provide Ukraine with 80,000 artillery shells and is participating in the Czech Republic’s ammunition initiative for Ukraine.

In addition, French company Delair will deliver 400 DT26 and UX11 reconnaissance drones to Ukraine.