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France 24
France 24
Politics
Gregor THOMPSON

France may soon overtake Russia as the world’s No. 2 arms exporter

French President Emmanuel Macron and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi shake hands prior to attending a meeting at the Foreign Affairs ministry in Paris, Friday, July 14, 2023. © Julien de Rosa, AP

Reports of new deals to sell French arms to India and Qatar are just the latest sign that France’s defence industry is gaining pace. The news comes as Russian arms exports decline in the wake of the war in Ukraine, leading to speculation that France could soon take its place as the world’s second-largest weapons exporter after the United States.

At this year’s Bastille Day military parade on July 14, French President Emmanuel Macron was joined by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It was also not just French forces on display. On the ground, Macron and his guest of honour watched as the Indian Tri-Services contingent made their way up the Champs-Élysées. In the air, the Indian Air Force performed a fly-past in French-made Dassault Rafale fighter jets.

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