Poll shows most French against weapons sales to Saudi
Three out of four French people believe it is ‘unacceptable’ to sell military weapons to Saudi Arabia, according to a poll published on 26 March.
The study by independent research group YouGov was commissioned by the anti-corporation lobby group SumOfUs to mark the third anniversary of the Saudi-led military intervention in Yemen.
Several NGOs including Amnesty International are seeking to raise pressure on French President Emmanuel Macron over the country’s arms sales ahead of the visit by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Paris in early April.
Norway has suspended arms exports to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia's coalition partner in Yemen, while the new German government says no weapons will be supplied to countries involved in the conflict.
Seventy-four percent of French people questioned for the poll said they were against selling weapons to Saudi Arabia and 71 percent were against supplying to the UAE.
France, one of the world's biggest arms exporters, continues to sell equipment to both countries and campaigners claim Paris does not have sufficient guarantees that the weapons will not be used in Yemen.
French exports have included Caesar artillery guns and ammunition, sniper rifles and armoured vehicles.
French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe's office insists that the weapons sold to Saudi Arabia are for defence and are only being used to deter rebel attacks.
In March 2015, a Saudi-led coalition of nine African and Middle Eastern countries intervened in the civil war in Yemen.
The coalition supports Yemeni pro-government forces against Huthi rebels, who are supported by Iran and control Sana'a, Yemen's capital.
Since then, nearly 10,000 Yemeni citizens have been killed in the conflict, and more than 53,000 have been injured.
The UN has called it the ‘worst humanitarian crisis’ in the world.
The study was carried out online by YouGov on 20-21 March with a sample of 1,026 people aged 18 and over.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Defence Notes
-
RUSI deputy: UK needs longer procurement plans and improved awareness of US sift to Indo-Pacific
The UK budget announced in Parliament on 30 October was the first by a Labour government in 14 years which has also launched a review into defence procurement programmes.
-
Australia outlines longer punch and brings local industry onboard
The Australian government has placed a focus on Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) which has included the purchase of additional long-range rocket systems and investments in local production of missiles.
-
UK boosts defence budget by 5.3%, but is this enough?
The UK budget announced in Parliament on 30 October is the first by a Labour government in 14 years. While it sees a boost in defence spending, this comes in the face of fiscal challenges and the effects of inflation.
-
UK makes big moves to fix “broken” defence procurement system ahead of major review
The changes are intended to meet greater need and deliver more value for money.
-
US companies invest in production capabilities to satisfy DoD’s hunger for cutting-edge capabilities
BAE Systems, Booz Allen Hamilton and Lockheed Martin have been betting on new facilities and innovative manufacturing technologies to speed up the development of new solutions.
-
Just Released: Military Training Technology Report October 2024 now available to read
How the latest portable simulation solutions can deliver JTAC training wherever it is needed