Macron’s France is now the world’s second-largest arms exporter

However 91% of France’s arms exports go outside Europe, not to protect it

Montage © Facts4EU.Org 2024

Latest figures show how Macron’s France is exporting arms around the globe

At a time when Ukraine is desperate for more weapons to fend off Putin’s illegal invasion of its country, and when threats to Europe are growing, President Macron’s France has risen to become the second-largest arms exporter in the world – but not to the EU and not to Ukraine.

This is according to the highly respected Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), whose data on arms sales Facts4EU.Org has long trusted. Note: In order to even out distortions from single large arms sales, SIPRI compares five-year periods - in this case 2014–18 and 2019–23.

France is now the world No.2 arms exporter

France narrowly overtook Russia to become the world’s second largest exporter of major arms in the latest period to 2023. French arms exports represented 11% of all arms transfers in this period, having increased by a remarkable 47% between 2014–18 and 2019–23.

Brexit Facts4EU.Org Summary

91% of French arms exports leave Europe

At a time of serious concerns about security and defence in Europe, the French arms industry has been benefiting. However the vast majority of this production has been sent to countries outside Europe altogether.

1. Destination of French arms exports

Asia and Oceania : 42%
Middle East : 34%
Europe : 9%
Other : 15%

[Source SIPRI, Mar 2024.]

France delivered major arms to 64 states in 2019–23. India was by far the largest individual recipient, accounting for 29% of French arms exports.

2. The world’s Top 5 exporters of major arms, 2019–23

Share of the market

USA : 42%
France : 11%
Russia : 11%
China : 5.8%
Germany : 5.6%

(UK : Placed 7th on 3.7%)

[Source SIPRI, Mar 2024.]

3. The largest changes in arms sales from the major exporters, 2019-2023

USA : +11%
France : +47%
Russia : -53%
China : -5.3%
Germany : -14%

[Source SIPRI, Mar 2024.]

If France’s arms sales are not going to Ukraine, where are they going?

The bulk of France’s arms exports in the last four years went to states in Asia and Oceania (42% of arms exports) and the Middle East (34%).

France has been trying to expand its arms sales to other EU states for many years but in 2019–23 these accounted for only 9.1% of the total. Of these, more than half of its European arms exports (53%) went to Greece.

Large increase in fighter jet sales – but not to EU countries and nor to Ukraine

A sharp rise in deliveries of Rafale combat aircraft accounted for most of the growth in French arms exports in 2019–23. France’s exports of its Rafales took off from 23 aircraft in 2014–18 to 94 in 2019–23, representing just under one third (31%) of French arms exports in the period. A further 193 Rafales were on order for export as at the end of 2023.

However, most of the aircraft France has already delivered (96 out of 117) and those on order (178 out of 193) are for countries outside Europe. These are going to Egypt, India, Indonesia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

In the EU France has faced strong competition from the USA. Notably, 8 out of the 10 European countries that ordered combat aircraft in 2019–23 opted for US F-16s or F-35s, with only Croatia and Greece opting for the Rafale.

In addition to building up its sales of combat aircraft, France increased its exports of military ships (and associated weapons) by 14% between 2014–18 and 2019–23.

Observations

Given France’s military history it may surprise readers to learn that France is now the second-largest arms exporter in the world, after the US. One of the reasons for this is of course the large state support the industry receives.

It is perhaps also interesting to note that 91% of all French arms exports leave Europe altogether. Bearing in mind that France has spent so little on its own defence in recent decades – and considering the equally poor performance by so many other EU countries - it might have been thought that more of its military output might have been directed to defending the EU.

Instead it has been the United Kingdom that has stood up to be counted. Despite Brexit this continues to be the case to this day.

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[ Sources: Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) ] Politicians and journalists can contact us for details, as ever.

Brexit Facts4EU.Org, Tues 26 Mar 2024

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Reader Comments 9

1. Ashley Great Britain , Tuesday, March 26, 2024, 07:06:

Because they have Nato membership they feel insulated from threats. Others will come to their aid so it leaves them free to make some cash.
It was the same relying on UK membership of the EU, The UK will pay and take the hit to support EU nations.

2. Sparky , Tuesday, March 26, 2024, 07:33:

It would be easy to get the impression that we are still fighting the Napoleonic wars? France has fulfilled a $30billion order for aircraft to India announced by Hollande in 2012.
.
The proportion of UK exports to Europe have grown from 9% to 22% as a result of the Ukraine war. Uk exports to outside Europe has fallen from 91% to 78%, of which 43% are to the middle east.
.
The BBC documentary Ukraine: Enemy in the Woods, is chilling. It shows the war in the wood being largely a ground war including drones and Russian troops as cannon fodder. Ukraine will start to get F16's this year but neither France of UK operate these aircraft.

3. Sparky , Tuesday, March 26, 2024, 07:50:

The RAF has provided basic training for Ukraine pilots working towards F126's and F16's can be seen flying in some parts of the UK.

4. Ashley Great Britain , Tuesday, March 26, 2024, 08:12:

3 Sparky.
-
F126? I think it would be hard to get a German naval frigate in the air. Any way it's probably hard enough to get them out to sea.
How can the RAF offer F16 training if they don't operate these aircraft.

5. LuxuryBalloon , Tuesday, March 26, 2024, 08:51:

This is indeed disappointing news … between 2012 and 2021, the UK was the second largest global defence exporter after the USA. We have now dropped to number 7.

6. Gazzablack , Tuesday, March 26, 2024, 09:19:

4, Ashley
.
German frigates may not fly, but a number of Russian surface vessels have come close before transitioning into submarines.
.
The RAF is training Ukrainian pilots, but it's really in the area of basic training an language skills.
Sophisticated flight simulators are used as part of flight training and these can probably be configured to F16 standard.
.
Trainees will then move on to more advanced training in actual F16's.
But it's not just the pilots that need to be trained, the engineering and logistical support etc. need to be trained as well.

7. NH , Tuesday, March 26, 2024, 10:12:

5. LB, "This is indeed disappointing news"
I don't believe this is disappointing news it just highlights how volatile defence sales are. UK exports were low in 2020 and 2021 but increased by +70% in 2022. As you have said over the 10 year period (2011 - 2021), on a rolling basis, the UK is the second largest exporter of defence equipment.
.
France has successfully targeted the markets that Russia has traditionally served. Russia's exports of defence equipment have recently declined by 50% and as Facts4EU have stated France's exports over the same period have increased significantly.

8. terence patrick hewett , Tuesday, March 26, 2024, 10:17:

The UK's 7th place as an arms exporter, presumably does not include the UK's share of the vast AUKUS budget, or that half of BAE Systems profits which come from US and other overseas assets. What is defined as an export? The size of the UK's arms industry is not the same as "exports" however they may be defined.

9. terence patrick hewett , Tuesday, March 26, 2024, 17:01:

Labour Party policy hits the real world.
.
"Labour scales back Brexit trade deal renegotiation plan after EU snub."

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