France challenges US arms dominance, eyes European contracts
The position of the USA in supplying arms to European countries may be challenged. President Emmanuel Macron announced that French companies will seek defense contracts in countries that have been procuring from the United States.
- I asked weapons manufacturers if we could turn to European countries that have gotten used to buying American products - Macron said in an interview with the French regional press.
Macron emphasized that France wants to offer its defense systems, such as the SAMP/T, in exchange for Patriot systems, and Dassault Rafale fighters for those countries interested in purchasing the F-35 aircraft.
The French President noted that increasing defense production requires reorganizing work and reducing costs. He mentioned that since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, France has already made significant progress in the defense sector.
France is rearming. Macron proudly shares
- In 2021, we produced ten Caesar self-propelled howitzers, and this year we will produce 82 - he recalled.
President Macron did not rule out the delivery of additional Mirage 2000 fighters to Ukraine.
The politician also stated that the decision regarding the deployment of a possible peacekeeping mission in Ukraine would belong to Ukraine. - Ukraine is a sovereign state. If it requests the presence of allied forces on its territory, that is not something Russia can accept or reject - he emphasized.
According to Macron, this would involve deploying several thousand soldiers at key points, "to conduct training and demonstrate long-term support".
