Sunday, January 22, 2017

Australia, India submarine and fighter jet deals boost French arms sales to record 20 billion euros in 2016

Reuters, India Times
20 January 217

PARIS-- French weapons sales hit a record high of more than 20 billion euros ($21.33 billion) in 2016 after submarine contracts in Australia and fighter jet sales to India, France's defense minister said. 
 "In 2015, we hit our historical exports figure of 17 billion euros," Jean-Yves Le Drian said in a New Year's speech to defense officials late on Thursday. 
 "For 2016, the total is not yet tallied, but I can say that thanks to the Australia contract, we have reached a new summit with more than 20 billion euros in sales." 

 Australia and France formally sealed an agreement on December under which French naval contractor DCNS will build a new fleet of 12 submarines a deal that could ultimately be worth $38 billion. 
 Paris also completed a deal for the sale of 36 high-end Rafale fighter planes from Dassault worth about $9 billion. 

No comments: