La politique française de soutien aux exportations d'armement : raisons et limites d'un succès

During François Hollande’s five-year term French defense exports have reached quite spectacular results. Arms sales abroad have increased at least fourfold since 2012, when the former presidential team came to power.
In order to explain this commercial success, one must put it back into a long-term historical perspective, anchored in a French tradition that began in the early Fifth Republic and which has since continued to adapt to the global strategic and economic context. While Hollande’s Presidency has managed to conduct a successful trade-promotion policy through efficient decision-making processes, it also benefited from an international context favorable to its overseas sales. However, how sustainable is this success? As a new presidential team is setting up, one now has to take into account the potential risks of these arms exports for French strategic autonomy.
This content is available in French: La politique française de soutien à l'export de défense : raisons et limites d'un succès.
Related centers and programs
Discover our other research centers and programsFind out more
Discover all our analysesThe Franco-German Brigade and the Revival of European Defense
One thing has been clear since Donald Trump's return to the White House: the very existence of the European unification project is threatened. Unless it develops a sovereign defense policy to counter the war in Ukraine and the weakening of American security guarantees, the European Union will continue to see its internal cohesion and external attractiveness wane.
Taking the Pulse: Can Europeans Build Their Independent Extended Nuclear Deterrent?
Confronted with a U.S. disengagement and the Russian threat, Europeans are reconsidering their stance on nuclear deterrence. Given the capabilities of the French and British arsenals, can Europe develop an independent nuclear deterrent?

RAMSES 2024. A World to Be Remade
For its 42nd edition, RAMSES 2024 identifies three major challenges for 2024.
A Transatlantic Defense Industrial Base? Two Contrasting Views
The evolving landscape of global defense cooperation has brought the transatlantic relationship between the United States (US) and Europe into sharp focus. As geopolitical tensions rise and the threat environment becomes more complex, the question of how Europe can best ensure its security while navigating its relationship with the United States has become paramount. This double feature report offers two contrasting views on the dynamics of US-Europe defense industrial relations, highlighting the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for both parties.