2023-07-28 06:43:54
Thanks to the Rafale, France is on the rise. Orders for combat aircraft boosted French arms exports in 2022, which reached a record level of 27 billion euros, according to an annual report to Parliament, a copy of which was obtained by AFP.
“The emblematic contract for 80 Rafale aircraft for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) contributes greatly to this historic figure”, after 11.7 billion euros in French arms exports in 2021, comments the French Ministry of the Armed Forces in this report released by the daily the Tribune. Signed in December 2021 and coming into force in 2022, this contract amounts to just over 16 billion euros.
The Rafale multiplies the contracts
Added to this mega-contract is the firm order for six Rafale aircraft by Indonesia and six aircraft by Greece, which reaffirms the success of the Rafale for export after a year 2021 already rich in contracts (Greece, Egypt and Croatia), recalls the report.
And last July, India gave its agreement in principle for the purchase of 26 additional Rafale in navy version, after 36 aircraft of this type already delivered to its Air Force, even if the decision must still be confirmed. after negotiations with the French government.
The year 2022 was also marked by the contract for the acquisition of three defense and intervention frigates (FDI) by Greece, with their maintenance and the associated armaments. Also in Europe, Poland signed a contract to acquire two French observation satellites in December 2022.
In 2022, the Near and Middle East region represents 64% of total orders, ahead of Europe (23%) and Asia (8%).
“French armament is not only appreciated through the Rafale which, with its armaments, contributes very largely to this figure, it imposes itself as a world reference in a wide spectrum of capabilities: missiles, frigates, submarines, artillery, helicopters, radars, observation satellites”, comments in this report the French Minister for the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu.
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