According to a report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), France has surpassed China as the world’s third-largest arms exporter and is on track to potentially surpass Russia for the second spot. The report states that France’s share of the global arms trade has increased from 7% in 2018 to 11% in 2022, while Russia’s share has fallen from 22% to 16%. The United States remains the top arms exporter with a 40% share.
The report’s author, Pieter Wezeman, predicts that France will continue to rise in the arms export rankings. He points out that France has received orders for 210 combat aircraft since late last year, compared to only 84 orders for Russia. Wezeman believes that these numbers indicate that France will remain a major arms exporter and may even surpass Russia in the coming years.
The decline in Russia’s arms exports could be attributed to its war in Ukraine. Russia has been diverting more arms to the front lines and withholding other supplies in order to replace those damaged in battle. Additionally, international sanctions may be affecting Russia’s arms production. The war in Ukraine has also damaged Russia’s reputation as a leading military technology provider, with reports of malfunctioning tanks and missiles.
India, the world’s largest arms importer, has reportedly turned to France for arms due to dissatisfaction with Russian arms in recent years. India has ordered six Scorpène submarines and 26 Rafale jets from France, in addition to the 36 Rafales it purchased in 2016. Other countries such as Qatar, Colombia, and Serbia are also considering deals for Rafale jets. The popularity of the French-built jet has contributed to a 59% increase in French arms sales over the last decade, making France the top country in terms of sales growth, according to the SIPRI report. The Rafale is now outselling all foreign competitors except the F-35 from US company Lockheed Martin.
Overall, France’s rise in the global arms trade indicates its growing influence and competitiveness in the industry. With increasing orders and a strong reputation for military technology, France has the potential to surpass Russia as the world’s second-largest arms exporter in the near future.
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