And if French defense companies were the future winners of the war that is engulfing the Middle East? “They must have the ability to do so”, says a senior official from the Ministry of Defense. The question is delicate, but it would be naive not to see an opportunity in this conflict. Even if, officially, the leading figures in the military industry politely decline JDD’s requests: “The context is not for communication,” responds a member of the French defense industrial and technological base (BITD), which brings together more than 4,000 companies.
Behind the scenes, the phone lines of major groups are buzzing: calls are coming from the Gulf monarchies. “Yes, there are exchanges,” admits one manufacturer. Another confirms: “We have teams on the ground and some countries are looking to accelerate orders planned for later.” Since the death of the former Supreme Guide on February 28, the regime has targeted a dozen Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Kuwait. In total, nearly 4,000 projectiles, including over 750 missiles, have been fired at these monarchies. The focus is now on arming defense lines. Especially since if the Iranian offensives have caused more than 20 deaths, the toll could have been much higher without the support of Western systems. “There are three main means of protection: anti-drone drones, ground-to-air missile systems like the Patriot, and fighter jets,” details Peer de Jong, former aide-de-camp to Jacques Chirac and co-founder of the Themiis institute.
Facing Shahed that are hard to detect by ground means, fighter jets prove to be very effective at detecting these drones with their radars, and then neutralizing them using their cannons or missiles. “Our planes have been mobilized to patrol over Emirian territory and intercept Iranian drones. We have also supported Qatar and Cyprus,” said Catherine Vautrin, Minister of the Armed Forces, on Sunday, March 15. A showcase for the French BITD, while Dassault’s aircraft weighs heavily in the region. Qatar owns 36 Rafales. The UAE has 80 aircraft, while Egypt has 55. That’s not all: Paris has defense agreements that allow it to station Rafales in Jordan.
With nearly 100%, the Rafale consists of approximately 30,000 pieces. “When Paris exports the aircraft, it also sells Mica missiles from MBDA, KNDS cannons, Thales radars, engines from Safran… It’s a whole economy,” emphasizes Peer de Jong, while the price of ammunition can rise to 600,000 euros. While it is still unclear whether Gulf countries will order new aircraft, the UAE and Qatar are very satisfied with the level of protection provided by their own Rafales and the 24 deployed by France.
The BITD is based on around 800 companies considered strategic or critical, including about ten large groups like Airbus, Dassault Aviation, and Thales. If Paris’ main client remains Asia, between 2020 and 2024, the Middle East is solidly in second place and absorbs 28% of exports. These sales cover all sectors: land, air, naval means, artillery, intelligence, etc. At the same time, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait were among the largest global importers, with 6.8%, 6.4%, and 4.8% of purchases, mainly from the United States.
However, according to a diplomatic source, Gulf countries are looking to reduce their dependence on Washington. An evolution seen as favorable to the French industry. Especially since Americans consume a significant portion of their production in the conflict. “This will mechanically reduce their export capacities in the coming months. We must be ready,” warns a senior French official.
Fact Check:
- The article discusses the potential opportunity for French defense companies in the conflict in the Middle East.
- It mentions the interest from Gulf countries in acquiring defense systems and the role of French aircraft like Rafale in the region.
Context:
- The article highlights the implications of the conflict in the Middle East on the defense industry, focusing on French companies and their prospects in the region.
