Rafale, submarines,… The French sales of arms have reached a new record high in 2016 – The Huffington Post

WEAPONS – arms exports of the French may have reached a new record high in 2016 to more than € 20 billion, through the sale to India of the hunter Burst and mégacontrat concluded with Australia for submarines, announced on 19 January by the end of the day Defence minister Jean-Yves Le Drian.

These exports measured in orders had already reached some 17 billion euros in 2015, with the first contracts for the sale of fighter Rafale abroad, more than double the previous year.

“In 2015 we have made the historical figure of 17 billion euros of exports. For 2016, the balance sheet is not yet consolidated ( … ), but we have reached a new peak with more than 20 billion euros of orders,” said the minister, in his greeting to the armed forces.

$ 40 billion for the construction of 12 submarines

These record sales are due to “new successful export”. “I think of the Rafale, I think at the conclusion of the biggest contract in the history of the export French with Australia”, he added.

At the end of long negotiations, India has entered into in September the purchase of 36 combat aircraft Rafale, manufactured by Dassault group. After a difficult start to export, the Burst was found for the first time the taker in 2015 in Qatar and Egypt. Each country had acquired 24 aircraft.

Another success was the choice by Australia to the French manufacturer DCNS to renew its fleet of submarines, a contract for the giant almost $ 40 billion for the construction of 12 submarines.

“Our team, your team has created tens of thousands of jobs in France and continuing at the same time to guarantee the strategic autonomy and independence of our country,” said Jean-Yves Le Drian.

“The quality of the materials French,” and their employment by the French army on the theatre of operations outside play a key role in these successes to the export, said the ministry.

France is engaged with his fighters Rafale and Mirage in the air operations of the international coalition against the group islamic State in Iraq and Syria. She also leads an anti-terror operation (Barkhane) in five countries of the Sahel.

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