COVID-19 and lack of big-money deals hit French exports in 2020
Morocco ordered 300 VLRA vehicles in late 2020; pictured recently is a vehicle in final production. (Photo: Jean-Marc Tanguy)
Official figures show that French defence equipment export orders took a big hit last year.
French defence companies recorded a 40% year-on-year slump in overseas orders to €4.9 billion ($5.97 billion) in 2020, according to the latest annual report provided by the MoD to parliament on 2 June.
However, strong demand for Rafale is driving a rebound in 2021.
MoD spokesman Hervé Grandjean attributed the sharp fall mainly to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, although the decrease accelerated a recent trend: in 2019, exports decreased by 8.5%.
Grandjean explained that multiple small contracts characterised sales to overseas customers in 2020, as no major deals exceeded €500 million ($609 million).
‘This absence is
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
Read this Article
Get access to this article with a Free Basic Account
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 1 free story per week
- Personalised news alerts
- Daily and weekly newsletters
- Free magazine subscription to all our titles
- Downloadable equipment data handbooks
- Distribution rights (Corporate only)
Unlimited Access
Access to all our premium news as a Premium News 365 Member. Corporate subscriptions available.
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 14-day free trial (cancel at any time)
- Unlimited access to all published premium news
- 10-year news archive access
- Downloadable equipment data handbooks
- Distribution rights (Corporate only)
More from Defence Notes
-
![Boeing remains prime on US Minuteman ICBM guidance system]()
Boeing remains prime on US Minuteman ICBM guidance system
Boeing will continue to to maintain readiness and accuracy of the Minuteman nuclear missile's guidance system for the US Air Force.
-
![Airbus to define next generation of European military helicopters]()
Airbus to define next generation of European military helicopters
Airbus Helicopters has been selected to coordinate a European R&D programme looking at military rotorcraft operational needs post-2030, and is also leading on a study for a defence collaborative cloud.
-
![Airbus enhances Belgian communications with satellite technology]()
Airbus enhances Belgian communications with satellite technology
The Belgian Ministry of Defence has contracted Airbus to provide satellite communications services for 15 years.
-
![How France’s future budget will prepare its forces for tomorrow’s warfare]()
How France’s future budget will prepare its forces for tomorrow’s warfare
Under the future military programming law 2024-2030 umbrella, France intends to invest in innovation as well as in cyber, maritime, space and UAS capabilities.
-
![European defence projects compete for future PESCO funding]()
European defence projects compete for future PESCO funding
New efforts evaluated by the EU's PESCO development mechanism will focus on climate change, hybrid threats, cyber, artificial intelligence and space as well as energy and maritime security.
