Industries French armaments are ironed on the offensive abroad. In 2009, they exported nearly 8 billion euros of military equipment (up 31% over 2008), returning to levels of 2000. Followed closely behind by Israel and the United States, Britain and Russia, France wants to reclaim its rank as third largest exporter of military equipment, signing 10 to 12 billion euros in export contracts this year, announced Monday Laurent Collet-Billon, the Director General for Armaments (DGA).
"To achieve this goal, we need some major prospects lead," he admitted. He cited discussions with Brazil and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the sale of Rafale fighter jets built by Dassault Aviation (*)."We look forward serenely the Brazilian government's decision and look forward to achieving an agreement in Abu Dhabi, where negotiations are proceeding at a steady pace this year, even in the first half of 2010," said Jacques de Lajugie, director of the International DGA. On Monday, the new Ambassador of France to Brazil, Yves Saint-Geours, said Brasilia, which has already bought from France helicopters and Scorpene submarines, should make his choice "soon" between the various fighters compete .
Equal competition
Among other promising leads, sales to Russia Building Projection and Command (BPC) Mistral class built by DCNS. "France has agreed to sell a copy of payday loan companies . Russia would buy four in total, "said Jacques de Lajugie.Pending a formal statement at the highest level, Paris examines the request "technical" of the Russian General Staff, which raises reserves of some countries, including the United States. A PCB can carry 900 troops and tanks and helicopter gunships costs 500 to 600 million euros.
In the terrestrial domain, several countries are interested in the Leclerc tank made by Nexter. "But the resource is scarce. We can not sell a batch of 40 tanks. Also, the first come first served ", warned the director of the International.
Finally, in the case to rebound – it lasts for eight years – the renewal of the fleet of tanker aircraft for the U.S. Air Force, Laurent Collet-Billon wished he was not biased. "It would not be good for the United States. If there is only one competitor, the case could be blocked by Congress, "he said."The call for tenders must enable EADS to compete with its partner Northrop Grumman in conditions of equal competition (against Boeing, Ed), insisted his side Hervé Morin, French Minister of Defense after a meeting in Paris with his U.S. counterpart Robert Gates.
(*) The Dassault group also owns the Figaro
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