The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (Sipri) reveals that over the period 2019-2023, arms imports jumped by 94% in Europe, due to the war in Ukraine. The report published Monday March 11 also highlights the fact that France has climbed for the first time to the second step of the podium of arms exporting countries, thus passing Russia, now relegated to third place.
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Since 2019, France saw its international sales jump by 47%, when Russia saw its own fall by 53%. This is a serious setback for Moscow, all the more significant as it comes at a time of strong tensions between the two countries.
In this competition, the United States remains by far the world’s leading arms exporter, taking 42% of total sales alone.
But the France had never occupied second place. Several reasons explain this success, points out the report from the Stockholm Peace Institute (Sipri): the first is to be attributed to production with very high added value, such as Dassault Aviation’s burst planeindicates Léo Péria-Peigné.
“ The jump in French industry against Russia can be explained firstly by the decline in Russian arms exports due to the war in UkraineRussian industry producing primarily for national consumption rather than for exportexplains this arms specialist at the French Institute for Strategic Research. Secondly, we should note the very big successes of some specific products from French industry such as the Rafale or some slightly less known systems, particularly in terms of electronics. These are systems with very high added value, so there is no point in selling a lot of them, because their price will weigh heavily in the balance. »
An industry ” Itar Free »
Sipri also indicates that this success is also due to the fact that French weapons are “ Itar Free “, that is to say not not covered by US arms sales regulations, which are generally very restrictive, especially with regard to missiles. Unlike American equipment, French armament gives countries greater freedom and total possession of this equipment: French manufacturers guarantee it without link to the clauses of the American law on the export of war materials.
These materials do not include components likely to arouse opposition from Washington. A strong argument when signing XXL contracts, but not only that, assures Léo Péria Peigné. “ When India buys Rafale, it is not necessarily just for the quality of the Rafale itself. But it is also because the Rafale can carry weapons that the United States will be more reluctant to sell. I am thinking in particular of the Meteor missiles (Air-air missiles produced by MBDA France – Editor’s note). For purchases from the Emirates or Qatar, it is also a way to strengthen an alliance. France has troops stationed in Qatar who provide training and reassurance. Buying weapons from France for the Emirates is also a way of sealing the alliance and hardening it. Same when Greece buys bursts: It is important that the plane is efficient, but Greece, by buying these planes, also ensures the support of France in its bickering with Turkey. »
In addition to hardware performance, broader international issues also play a role. Buying French is also a way of not alienating the United States: when a country acquires Russian equipment, it may find itself on an American blacklist and will not be able to obtain sensitive equipment. Turkey experienced this by equipping itself with Russian S400 ground-to-air batteries: it thus found itself excluded from the purchase of F35 aircraft.
French equipment is the choice of a third way, it is also one of the reasons for the success of the French defense industry.
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