French Arms Exports

Isos wrote:

I don't know from where are your sources but I just checked now in French news and it's all 64 F-1 for 25 million $. While another offer was for 80 fighters with just 30 being able to fly the rest was for spare parts.

My first numbers are wrong but I remember I've seen an article that was saying something like this some months ago. The new number I just gave are from two weeks ago.

http://www.latribune.fr/entreprises-finance/industrie/aeronautique-defense/la-france-pres-de-vendre-64-mirage-f1-aux-etats-unis-741119.html

http://www.opex360.com/2017/06/23/les-anciens-mirage-f1-de-larmee-de-lair-pourraient-entamer-une-nouvelle-carriere-aux-etats-unis/

You are citing a sale that doesn't include a support package but just the stripped airframes.  France offered Argentina fully equipped F1s with 5 years support.

The dispute has allowed the resurgence of a proposal from France to supply a squadron of Mirage F-1, at a unit cost of US$ 23 million, but fully equipped and five years of logistic support. Argentina could receive a squadron of Mirage F1; Air Force will have no combat aircraft by 2018

@Vladimir Your link is from last year. That's not the same proposition. The one I linked is from Opex360 which is a french specialized news in military. They mentioned 64 F1 for 25 millions $. So it's two totally different propositions. The fact that they say 64 fighter with just a few able to fly and the rest for spare parts means that they didn't meant to offer big support package.

http://www.opex360.com/2016/10/24/la-france-propose-des-mirage-f1-largentine-pour-40-millions-deuros/

Another link from the same source but from 2016 where it is reported that Jean Yves le Drian (former def minister) said they were expecting to sell 12 Mirage F1 for 40 millions $.

Lot of propositions actually ... I'm lost ^^

I think they would give them for any price. Those fighters are at the end of their life and by doing this they will sell missiles and then the one who buy them will need to replace them with french fighter because he has french missiles. It's like an investment.

Isos wrote:@Vladimir Your link is from last year. That's not the same proposition. The one I linked is from Opex360 which is a french specialized news in military. They mentioned 64 F1 for 25 millions $. So it's two totally different propositions. The fact that they say 64 fighter with just a few able to fly and the rest for spare parts means that they didn't meant to offer big support package.

http://www.opex360.com/2016/10/24/la-france-propose-des-mirage-f1-largentine-pour-40-millions-deuros/

Another link from the same source but from 2016 where it is reported that Jean Yves le Drian (former def minister) said they were expecting to sell 12 Mirage F1 for 40 millions $.

Lot of propositions actually ... I'm lost ^^

The article of Jean Yves was before the offer of $23 million per unit was made.  He hoped they would get 40 million but that was far too high.  

I think they would give them for any price. Those fighters are at the end of their life and by doing this they will sell missiles and then the one who buy them will need to replace them with french fighter because he has french missiles. It's like an investment.

They would certainly make more business for subsidiaries that way but GB was not having Argies as a customer so France decided to sell to US who at least will fly them and keep a maintenance contract with Dassault.  

" humanitarian concerns using the equipment." Can you explain what you mean by this ?
They are buying from every one just to not be depedent from one source. They learned the lessons: They were USSR's puppet then US's. Now they are following what India does. There is a bigger probability that their Fighters meet NATO fighter than Chinese or Russian. So if they have Rafales and F-16 who will give theme spare parts once US will bring them some democracy ?

Morsi government is very brutal to Muslim insurgents using torture and what not. If the US does not like his tactics they can cut him off.  Buying French and Russian he does not have to worry about US political feelings about dealing with human rights.  Looking at the last several years of Egypt purchases it is clear they favour France above all. 2 Mistrals, 1 FREMM, 4 + 2 heavily armed Gowinds, a billion dollar military satellite, 24 Rafale... it is the vast majority of their procurement budget.

Buying French and Russian he does not have to worry about US political feelings about dealing with human rights. Looking at the last several years of Egypt purchases it is clear they favour France above all. 2 Mistrals, 1 FREMM, 4 + 2 heavily armed Gowinds, a billion dollar military satellite, 24 Rafale... it is the vast majority of their procurement budget.

They take what's ready because Morsi needs power to rule. The mistrals were sold because Russia agreed. Now they are selling Ka-52, they took back money while still having plans of them, technical data and the experience gained in building some parts so Russia's position is better on this. Idem for the FREMM which was already build before the contract was signed. Idem for Rafales, they took those that were to be delivered to French air force.

Gowind is not that a good ship, just French shipyards are faster to build ships than russians and they will build some of them in Egypt. 8 Exocet, 16 MICA and torpedos for 250 million $ each while on a steregouchy (tigr export model) you can have 16 Uran or UKSK with oniks and klub missile, 16 Redut, Paket Nk torpedos for just 150 millions $.

In satellite tech, french are one of the best so it's normal they chosed them.

Isos wrote:

They take what's ready because Morsi needs power to rule. The mistrals were sold because Russia agreed. Now they are selling Ka-52, they took back money while still having plans of them, technical data and the experience gained in building some parts so Russia's position is better on this. Idem for the FREMM which was already build before the contract was signed. Idem for Rafales, they took those that were to be delivered to French air force.

Gowind is not that a good ship, just French shipyards are faster to build ships than russians and they will build some of them in Egypt. 8 Exocet, 16 MICA and torpedos for 250 million $ each while on a steregouchy (tigr export model) you can have 16 Uran or UKSK with oniks and klub missile, 16 Redut, Paket Nk torpedos for just 150 millions $.

In satellite tech, french are one of the best so it's normal they chosed them.

There was plenty of air packages that could have been ready but Morsi chose the most expensive. If he went American he could get military aid for free. If he goes Russian he can get more for less. Why did he spend all the money to go French? The choice to ditch America is clear.

Vladimir79 wrote:

Isos wrote:

They take what's ready because Morsi needs power to rule. The mistrals were sold because Russia agreed. Now they are selling Ka-52, they took back money while still having plans of them, technical data and the experience gained in building some parts so Russia's position is better on this. Idem for the FREMM which was already build before the contract was signed. Idem for Rafales, they took those that were to be delivered to French air force.

Gowind is not that a good ship, just French shipyards are faster to build ships than russians and they will build some of them in Egypt. 8 Exocet, 16 MICA and torpedos for 250 million $ each while on a steregouchy (tigr export model) you can have 16 Uran or UKSK with oniks and klub missile, 16 Redut, Paket Nk torpedos for just 150 millions $.

In satellite tech, french are one of the best so it's normal they chosed them.

There was plenty of air packages that could have been ready but Morsi chose the most expensive.  If he went American he could get military aid for free.  If he goes Russian he can get more for less.  Why did he spend all the money to go French?  The choice to ditch America is clear.  

I totally agree with this. It's just that when you said that they "favour french" it sounded for me (maybe I'm wrong) that you mean they want Franch for their new main supplier which is not the reallity. They don't want to depend on anyone so they buy from anyone. They are still getting F-16 if I'm not wrong. But with what's happening in Lybia, Russia is becoming Morsi's biggest ally.

Do not forget that all these equipement are founded by Saoudi Arabia (and maybe their arab puppets) and they are also buying more and more european and probablly will go for russian stuff too as we saw with Mig/EAU intentions, in order to reduce their dependence on US suplies. So their is a big chance that we saw Pak Fa their too.

Once the genera (that I forgot the name) in Lybia took power and became the new Kaddafi, Lybia will buy weapons again and Russia had plenty projects with Lybia before the war, Kilo subs frigates, T-90 ...

Isos wrote:

There was plenty of air packages that could have been ready but Morsi chose the most expensive.  If he went American he could get military aid for free.  If he goes Russian he can get more for less.  Why did he spend all the money to go French?  The choice to ditch America is clear.

I totally agree with this. It's just that when you said that they "favour french" it sounded for me (maybe I'm wrong) that you mean they want Franch for their new main supplier which is not the reallity. They don't want to depend on anyone so they buy from anyone. They are still getting F-16 if I'm not wrong. But with what's happening in Lybia, Russia is becoming Morsi's biggest ally.

Do not forget that all these equipement are founded by Saoudi Arabia (and maybe their arab puppets) and they are also buying more and more european and probablly will go for russian stuff too as we saw with Mig/EAU intentions, in order to reduce their dependence on US suplies. So their is a big chance that we saw Pak Fa their too.

Once the genera (that I forgot the name) in Lybia took power and became the new Kaddafi, Lybia will buy weapons again and Russia had plenty projects with Lybia before the war, Kilo subs frigates, T-90 ...

Based on sales since Morsi came to power, France is the primary arms supplier of Egypt by far.   When I say favour French, I mean this fact.  Egypt received its last F-16 in 2014 and no aid packages made since before the overthrow.  The Saudis are lending the money, but Egypt is still paying for it.  We have given Morsi a corvette... for free.  The MiG deal is only worth $2 billion.  The French deals are worth 10 times this.

Libya is a mess, no one knows what will happen.

Estonia acquires a large batch of portable anti-aircraft missile systems Mistral 3

The European association MBDA on June 12, 2018 in Paris signed a contract worth 50 million euros to supply the Ministry of Defense of Estonia with a large batch of portable air defense missile systems Mistral 3, produced by the French branch of MBDA, with an option for another 100 million euros. The number of ordered launchers and missiles is not disclosed, but it is reported that the delivery will also include simulators, training missiles and control and verification equipment. Deliveries will begin in 2020.

https://bmpd.livejournal.com/3237491.html

Large orders for the CAESAR 155mm French self-propelled howitzer

According to the French production company Nexter Systems (KNDS) production plan for 2018–2028, which is based on cash contracts, this manufacturer has large and still unsigned orders for production of CAESAR 155 mm / 52 self-propelled howitzers on wheeled chassis.

In particular, according to the plan, Nexter from 2018 to 2024 should produce 147 "standard" CAESAR self-propelled howitzers on a chassis with a 6x6 wheel formula and 112 CAESAR self-propelled howitzers on a 8x8 chassis (meaning Tatra T815 chassis).

From the number of CAESAR howitzers on a 6x6 chassis, it is known that 18 units were ordered by Indonesia and 32 must be delivered to the French army under the French weapons program for 2019-2025. The remaining 97 CAESAR howitzers on a 6x6 chassis were allegedly ordered by Saudi Arabia under an additional undeclared contract (for a number of sources, possibly including 105-106 systems in general). It is known that ten CAESAR SAUs were delivered to the Saudi port of Jeddah in October 2018. It is possible that the Saudi order includes 24 CAESAR howitzers, originally ordered for Saudi funds for Lebanon.

Previously, Nexter on three contracts has already supplied the National Guard of Saudi Arabia from 2009 to 2014, a total of 132 CAESAR self-propelled howitzers, made on the Unimog U5000 wheeled chassis (6x6). Saudi Arabia is actively using data CAUSAR SAU in the fighting in Yemen.

As for orders for a new version of the CAESAR howitzer on the Tatra T815 chassis with an 8x8 wheel formula, it is known that the first 15 such units with delivery in 2019-2020 were ordered by Denmark. However, the customer of the remaining 97 systems with a delivery plan in the years 2022-2024 is unknown. The press suggests that the possible customer is also Saudi Arabia - only not the National Guard, but the Saudi ground forces.

Also in publications it is noted with reference to unofficial sources in Nexter that in December 2018 the company entered into an unannounced major contract under the code Artis with Saudi Arabia for the supply of 105 mm towed 105LG guns and armored TITUS vehicles with a wheel formula 6x6. In terms of the Nexter production, 118 towed 105LG guns are listed, while it is known that 18 of these systems were ordered by Malaysia. The remaining 100 units, apparently, are for Saudi Arabia. Of the 153 TITUS armored vehicles registered in the plan, 62 units were contracted by the Czech Republic, so that, apparently, the remaining 91 vehicles fall under the Saudi contract.

Also in terms of orders mentioned 494 VBCI armored vehicles with an 8x8 wheel formula, which, apparently, are designed for Qatar.



https://bmpd.livejournal.com/3617664.html

The Saudis have been using the Caesar extensively against the Houthis. If they are placing a followup order they must really like it.

French newspaper "La Tribune" reported in an article by Michel Cabirol "Emirats Arabes Unites: et un nouveau contrat important à l'export pour Naval Group," referring to its informed sources that the French shipbuilding association Naval Group has signed a construction contract for the United Arab Emirates two corvettes project Gowind 2500. The contract was signed with the government of Abu Dhabi in secrecy on March 25, 2019.

https://bmpd.livejournal.com/3667969.html

Botswana received French anti-aircraft missile systems VL MICA and Mistral by the French branch of the European MBDA (MBDA France).

VL MICA medium-range anti-aircraft missile launchers placed on the RMMV MAN (6x6) automobile chassis, MISTRAL ALBI self-propelled short-range anti-aircraft missile systems based on the lightweight VBL (4x4) armored vehicle, radar systems and battery control centers were delivered on trailers.

https://bmpd.livejournal.com/4043877.html

Czech Republic to acquire 52 French self-propelled howitzers CAESAR

https://bmpd.livejournal.com/4050319.html

George1 wrote:Czech Republic to acquire 52 French self-propelled howitzers CAESAR

https://bmpd.livejournal.com/4050319.html

Moroco ordered it too ,36 copies with 400 million.

Egypt acquires 30 more Rafale fighters

According to the French web resource "Disclose" with reference to the "confidential documents" it received, on April 26, 2021, France, in an unannounced manner, signed a new package of contracts for the supply of 30 additional Dassault Rafale fighters to Egypt for a total of 3.95 billion euros. It is alleged that the contract for the supply of 30 Rafale itself costs 3.75 billion euros, and two more contracts with a total value of 200 million euros relate to the purchase of weapons for these aircraft - one contract was concluded with the MBDA association, and the second was concluded with Safran Electronics & Defense (a military division by the Safran group). According to the resource, the fact of signing the contracts is kept secret at the request of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi.

It was reported that the contracts were concluded on account of loans provided by a consortium of French banks consisting of Crédit Agricole, Société Générale, BNP and CIC, under government guarantees issued by the French treasury and covering 85% of the transaction value (3.4 billion euros). A financial agreement to secure the contracts is to be initialed by the parties in Paris on 4 May.

On the evening of May 3, the website of the Egyptian newspaper Al-Watan and later Al-Jazeera TV reported that an Egyptian Defense Ministry official had confirmed that France and Egypt had signed an agreement under which Egypt would buy 30 new Rafale aircraft. The spokesman said in a statement that “as part of the political leadership’s interest in developing and strengthening the state’s capabilities, Egypt and France signed a contract for the supply of 30 Rafale aircraft between the Egyptian armed forces and the French company Dassault Aviation, provided that a loan for financing was concluded under the contract. for a minimum period of 10 years. "


UPD:confirmed the conclusion of a contract for the supply of 30 additional Dassault Rafale fighters to Egypt. The Minister wrote: "I welcome the sale of 30 Rafale to Egypt, a strategic partner. This export success is critical to our sovereignty and to retain 7,000 industrial jobs in France over three years. Rafale is once again demonstrating its technological and operational excellence."



On the part of bmpd, we recall that earlier in February 2015, Egypt signed its first contract with France.for the purchase of 24 Dassault Rafale fighters (16 two-seat Rafale DM and eight single-seat Rafale EM) worth 3.5 billion euros, becoming the first foreign customer of Rafale aircraft. The contract included an option for another 12 Rafale aircraft, but the option was not exercised at the time. At the same time, a contract was signed worth 700 million euros for the supply of guided weapons for Rafale fighters, including MICA air-to-air missiles, AASM guided bombs and Black Shahine cruise missiles. All 24 Rafale F3 aircraft were supplied to the Egyptian Air Force under this contract with July 2015 to mid-2019, with one Rafale EM (Egyptian hull number 9352, serial number EM02) lost in Egypt during a demonstration flight in February 2019.

Financing of this first contract for the purchase of Rafale fighters by Egypt, according to French media, was carried out by 40% Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, and 60% - also in a loan guaranteed by the French Treasury issued to a consortium of three French banks (BNP Paribas, Credit Agricole and Societé Générale). At the same time, according to the above-mentioned resource "Disclose", the loan was actually written off "at the expense of French taxpayers", since Egypt allegedly did not pay it.

In the past few years, there have been numerous reports of Egypt's ongoing negotiations with France on the possibility of purchasing additional Rafale fighters (starting with the implementation of the option for 12 vehicles). If Egypt's acquisition of 30 additional Rafale aircraft is indeed closed and enforced, it would make Egypt the largest exploiter of Rafale aircraft outside of France.

It can be assumed that in the new package a contract with the MBDA merger was signed for the supply of an additional batch of MICA air-to-air missiles, and a contract with Safran Electronics & Defense for the purchase of AASM Hammer guided aerial bombs.

https://bmpd.livejournal.com/4302313.html

Purchase of French Dassault Rafale F3R fighters for the Croatian Air Force officially approved
30 May 2021

News Dassault Rafale received official confirmation of Croatia's choice of French fighters. On May 28, the Croatian government approved the purchase of 12 French fighters.

Thus, the tender for a new fighter for the Croatian Air Force has been completed, Zagreb is purchasing 12 Dassault Rafale F3R fighters, of which 10 will be single-seat and two two-seat. Now the parties need to sign an intergovernmental agreement on the supply of aircraft by the end of this year.

As previously reported, all fighters will be supplied from the presence of the French Air Force. In addition to the aircraft themselves, the offer includes: a ground simulator, ground and test equipment, spare parts, personnel training, 3-year manufacturer support and a 12-month warranty for each delivered aircraft, engine and other equipment and spare parts. The fighters are supplied with "basic" weapons. The cost of the contract is $ 999 million in installments.

All aircraft must be modified to F3R standard and not older than 10 years. If the contract is signed, the fighters will be delivered in 2024 and 2025.

In the Croatian Air Force, 12 French Dassault Rafale F3R fighters will replace Soviet-built MiG-21 bis fighters.

https://en.topwar.ru/183524-zakupka-francuzskih-istrebitelej-dassault-rafale-f3r-dlja-vvs-horvatii-oficialno-utverzhdena.html

Sweden became the first foreign customer of the French anti-tank missile system MMP

https://bmpd.livejournal.com/4334306.html

Kazakhstan orders 2 Airbus A400M

https://bmpd.livejournal.com/4386658.html

Greece will buy 3 FDI (Belharra) frigates and 3 Gowind corvettes. Deal at 5 bln euros

https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2021/09/new-development-in-greece-french-frigates-for-the-future-hellenic-navy/

The new delivery schedule of the FDI frigates (all built at Naval Group surface ships shipyard in Lorient, Britany) is as follow. It does impact slightly the delivery of two frigates for the French Navy:

FDI #1 1st frigate for the French Navy 2024 (no change)
FDI #2 1st frigate for the Hellenic Navy early 2025
FDI #3 2nd frigate for the Hellenic Nav late 2025
FDI #4 2nd frigate for the French Navy early 2026 (instead of 2025)
FDI #5 3rd frigate for the Hellenic Navy later 2026
FDI #6 3rd frigate for the French Navy 2027 (instead of 2026)
FDI #7 4th frigate for the French Navy 2028 (no change)
FDI #8 5th frigate for the French Navy 2029 (no change)

https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2021/09/latest-details-on-the-deal-between-france-and-greece-for-3-fdi-frigates/

The Czech Republic has signed a contract with the French group Nexter Systems for the purchase of 52 CAESAR self-propelled howitzers on the Tatra T815 (8x8) wheeled chassis.

The contract is valued at CZK 8.5 billion (about 390 million USD ) including VAT.

https://bmpd.livejournal.com/4407390.html

The French began the implementation of the second contract for the supply of Egypt multirole Rafale fighters

https://en.topwar.ru/189135-francuzy-nachali-realizaciju-vtorogo-kontrakta-na-postavku-egiptu-mnogocelevyh-istrebitelej-rafale.html

Croatia signed a contract for the purchase of 12x Dassault Rafale fighters

https://bmpd.livejournal.com/4435868.html

http://www.opex360.com/2021/12/03/les-emirats-arabes-unis-commandent-80-avions-rafale-au-standard-f4-et-12-caracal/

UAE ordered 80 Rafale and 12 Caracal helicopters. Delivery to start in 2027.

The French shipbuilding association Naval Group reported that on December 4, 2021, the head corvette P 110 Bani Yas of the Gowind 2500 project of two ships of this type, being built for the naval forces of the United Arab Emirates , was launched in its arsenal in Loriana.

https://bmpd.livejournal.com/4442881.html