France, Germany break impasse on arms exports
France and Germany agreed on 16 October on an accord governing the export of jointly developed weapons and defence equipment, removing a key stumbling block to their development of next-generation tanks and fighter jets.
‘We have finalised a major, legally binding deal on arms exports to fully complete these programmes,’ French President Emmanuel Macron said at a press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
The two leaders met in the southwest French city of Toulouse, home of Airbus, as well as a major factory owned by Dassault Aviation.
Both companies areworking on the ambitious FCAS project (pictured), which will combine a new fighter plane with drones, satellites and other aircraft to help reduce the EU's long reliance on US planes and equipment.
But Paris and Berlin have not always seen eye-to-eye on weapons sales beyond the EU – and both countries say such exports are crucial for making the new plane and tank projects viable.
France, for example, has maintained its arms sales to Saudi Arabia, while Germany has halted them over the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Currently, either country could halt the export of jointly made weapons in case of disagreement on the buyer, a complexity removed by the Franco-German deal, French officials said.
‘It marks the mutual confidence between France and Germany and constitutes the basis of success for common projects like the tank and the future aircraft,’ as well as scores of other joint projects, a French presidency official told AFP.
You may also like
More from Defence Notes
-
![New Zealand boosts defence spend to US$6.6 billion and vows increased closeness with Australia]()
New Zealand boosts defence spend to US$6.6 billion and vows increased closeness with Australia
This budget will be spent over the next four years and nearly doubles the country’s defence spending as part of GDP to 2%.
-
![UK Chancellor commits £2 billion to make the country a “defence industrial superpower”]()
UK Chancellor commits £2 billion to make the country a “defence industrial superpower”
Rachel Reeves announced port upgrades, protected budgets for innovation and investment in novel technologies.
-
![Avalon 2025: Australian defence budget meets the low expectations of show attendees]()
Avalon 2025: Australian defence budget meets the low expectations of show attendees
The Australian Budget was marked by tax cuts and a looming general election which led to little hope that there would be a substantial defence boost even with a big bill for nuclear submarines due.
-
![Launch of Gilat Defense targets DoD market]()
Launch of Gilat Defense targets DoD market
The communications company Gilat launched its new Gilat Defense division at the Satellite 2025 expo, with future solutions aimed at US military customers.
-
![Collins MAPS Gen II to equip US DoD watercraft]()
Collins MAPS Gen II to equip US DoD watercraft
US services have already conducted multiple tests with military maritime systems fitted with the system.
-
![OCCAR expects substantial boost in programme numbers “in the coming months”]()
OCCAR expects substantial boost in programme numbers “in the coming months”
Europe’s Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) “has to establish itself…as a centre of excellence for cooperative Defence Equipment Programmes” in the face of growing threats and the need for rearmament, according to the organisation’s chairman.
