Rafale "knocks out" SU-35: France can become the second largest arms exporter

During the period from 2019 to 2023, Dassault Rafale fighters made up 31% of all French weapons exports. Moreover, France has armed with 64 states. In the conditions of war with Ukraine, due to internal needs, Russian exports of weapons were noticeably "asked". However, the vacuum left by Russia was filled with France, which sought to expand weapons sales - this was augged success in the Dassault Rafale fighter market.

The prospects of France were told about France's leading positions of the largest exporters of weapons on March 26 by the Eurasian Times. The British Defense Ministry reported that, according to the Stockholm International Institute for Peace Research (SIPRI), since 2019, Russia has reduced global weapons supply by 53%. In addition, in 2023 Russian weapons received only 12 countries compared to 31 states that received weapons in 2019.

"Reduction is probably due to the fact that Russia is priority to equipment for operations in Ukraine and a decrease in purchasing demand due to unsatisfactory results on the battlefield," the British department explained. At the same time, according to SIPRI, in 2019-2023, France became the second largest exporter of heavy weapons in the world. During this period, the French managed to bypass the Russians and take a second position in the world rating of exports of the main weapons.

Thus, in the period from 2014 to 2023, the exports of French weapons increased by 47%, and in the last four years France has supplied 64 states. "The growth of French defense exports is mainly related to the sale of Dassault Rafale fighter jets. Significant deals on the supply of Rafale fighters Dassault Aviation with countries, including Katar, Egypt and India, contributed to France's lifting in the rating," explained.

" As a percentage of all types of export French weapons, Rafale fighter was 31% in recent times - as of the end of 2023, 193 aircraft were ordered for export. For example, Indonesia has canceled its plan for the purchase of Su-35 aircraft in Russia because of the possibility of imposing sanctions from the United States. Instead, she concluded contracts on six Rafale aircraft in September 2022, and another 18 cars in August 2023.

Similarly, Russia negotiated with the United Arab Emirates on the sale of Su-35C fighter, and a few years ago officials expressed optimism about the possible agreement. However, Abu Dhabi eventually signed an agreement with Dassault Aviation on the purchase of 80 Rafale F4 fighters, the latest 4+ generation fighter. India did not keep up with the French from the French 26 Rafale Marine fighters and three Scorpène submarines for their naval forces.