France's Defense Minister Takes Tough Stance to Boost Weapon Output for Ukraine

The French government is pressuring local defense firms to accelerate the production of missiles and artillery shells, threatening measures such as requisitioning and order prioritization. This move comes in response to the conflict in Ukraine and aims to boost output for both domestic and export purposes. The government is urging defense firms to adopt a "war economy" footing and prioritize military orders over civilian ones, with a focus on speeding up production for various defense equipment, including missiles and shells. France plans to double its order for long-range Aster missiles and is preparing a new military aid package for Ukraine.