France's arms exports last year reached about "20 billion euros"
France - French Defense Minister Catherine Vautrin announced on Tuesday that France's arms exports are expected to reach "about 20 billion euros" in 2025, close to the record of 21.6 billion euros set the previous year.
Minister Vautrin said in her New Year's address: "In 2025, our export orders should be about 20 billion euros, similar to 2024, with one-third going to the European continent."
If this number is confirmed, it would be the third best annual performance for France's defense industry, following 2022 and 2024, while global military spending continues to grow, especially in Europe. The minister did not specify which orders contributed to this performance.
Notably, in 2025, India signed a contract to purchase 26 "Rafale" fighter jets for its navy; Greece purchased the fourth "Defense and Intervention" class frigate (FDI); Romania bought the "Norwegian" air defense missile system; and Croatia acquired the "Caesar" howitzer.
Madame Vautrin emphasized that "without exports, there is no credible strategic autonomy. Therefore, the issue of exports is not trivial but a key element of our defense system." France has placed orders worth 38 billion euros, "of which 80% relates to our defense technology industrial base," the minister specifically mentioned the next-generation aircraft carrier (PANG), the future ballistic missile submarine (SSBN3G), and the improved version of the M51 nuclear missile.
Source: rfi
Original: toutiao.com/article/1854887298124808/
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