The governments of France and Norway have agreed to strengthen military support for Ukraine through the additional supply of precision-guided munitions, under a new bilateral understanding announced by the Norwegian government in a context where the conflict with Russia remains unresolved.
Although the official statement does not publicly specify the exact type of weaponry involved, various open sources and specialized analysts agree that the deliveries would consist of additional French-made AASM Hammer guided bombs. Norway will allocate approximately €365 million to this support package, while France will also guarantee a loan of around €260 million.
The Armement Air-Sol Modulaire (AASM), known as Hammer, is a system developed by the French company Safran that converts conventional bombs into long-range smart munitions through the integration of a guidance and propulsion kit. The system combines inertial navigation assisted by GPS and can incorporate additional sensors, such as infrared or laser guidance, allowing it to adapt to different mission profiles and target types.
Unlike a conventional guided bomb, the AASM includes a propulsion module that significantly extends its range, enabling launches at distances exceeding 50 kilometers depending on the altitude and speed of the carrying aircraft. This feature is particularly relevant in a context where the Ukrainian Air Force must operate under the constant threat posed by Russian medium- and long-range air defense systems.
In this regard, it is important to recall that the Ukrainian Air Force began employing these munitions in 2024 following a technical integration process on Soviet-origin aircraft. According to previous reports, since the beginning of the war AASM bombs have been used from platforms such as the Sukhoi Su-25, Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker, and MiG-29, which required adapting software and mission systems originally designed for different weaponry.
On the other hand, the recent incorporation of Mirage 2000-5 fighters into the Ukrainian Air Force adds a new dimension to the use of the AASM, as this aircraft is already fully certified to operate this type of weapon in its standard configuration, facilitating its employment without the need for complex adaptations.
From an operational standpoint, the additional supply of French-origin AASM Hammer guided bombs strengthens Ukraine’s ability to conduct precision strikes from safer stand-off distances, increasing aircraft survivability and enabling attacks against strategic Russian targets such as logistics depots, fortified positions, or military infrastructure.
This new agreement between France and Norway represents another stage in the broader framework of military support that Ukraine has received from European countries since the start of the war. From fighter aircraft and artillery to munitions and troop training, this latest effort underscores the importance of sustaining supply lines—an increasingly decisive factor in a prolonged and high-intensity conflict.
Images used for illustrative purposes
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