France is the Fourth Largest Weapons Exporter in the World

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The French Ministry of Defense publishes in its annual report that the export of weapons in 2014 has grown in about 18% in comparison with the previous year – this is the most profitable year in this aspect for 15 years. Weapons exported during the previous year was in the total sum of 8.2 billion Euro, which are 9.1 milliard US Dollars. The increase occurred mainly due to five large contracts signed, estimated by over 200 million Euro in total.

The income increase is expected to continue in the current year, after signing contracts between France, Qatar and Egypt, stating that the first shall provide to each of the Arab countries 24 fighter planes of local production. The massive increase in the French income places it fourth in the world, in terms of exporting weapons, following the United States, Russia and China. Between 2010 and 2014, the main export objectives of the French President, Francois Holland, were the Middle East, 38% of the French weapons export, and China, which received 30% of the market segment. Africa is in the last place, with only 4%.