France, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia and Hungary have signed a memorandum of understanding on the joint purchase of Mistral air defense systems.

The news was confirmed by an informed source at a meeting of defense ministers in Paris.

The purpose of the meeting was to coordinate European efforts to bolster air defense capabilities within the continent in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Meanwhile, the Bloomberg report According to French President Emmanuel Macron, he called on Europe to develop an air defense strategy before purchasing equipment, in tacit defiance of Germany’s plan to purchase a missile defense system with the help of Israeli and American companies.

Monday’s meeting of defense ministers in Paris was partly in response to Europe’s European Air Defense System, which calls for a layered anti-missile shield that could cost up to 17 billion euros. The purpose of the shield is to protect Germany and neighboring countries from missile attacks. At least 15 countries – most of them within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization – have signed declarations of intent to join the programme.

Cover photo: Getty Images (illustrative)