The French defense equipment market is a market controlled by the State, because it is a risk factor, but also a means for the one who uses this export force, to develop its power and influence.
Thus, when a French company tries to sell to a non-European country, it must first have its right to export validated by an interdepartmental body.
The different steps (see diagram below):
- Deposit of an export application license. This is often overvalued in relation to the actual final sale.
- The DGA carries out an initial verification of the admissibility of the license.
- This application is then examined by an interdepartmental body, the CIEEMG (Interdepartmental Commission for the Study of War Materiel Exports), which is chaired by the General Secretariat for Defense and National Security (SGDSN) and includes representatives of:
- the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- the Ministry of Defense
- the Ministry of the Economy and Finance (the so-called “voting” ministries).
The following representatives also sit on the committee in an advisory capacity:
- the Ministry of Higher Education and Research
- the Ministry of the Interior
- the intelligence services;
- the Prime Minister’s office
- the private staff of the President of the Republic.
The various ministries are responsible for formulating an opinion, taking into account France’s international commitments, the criteria of the common position, and treaties signed by France, such as the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty (signed by 130 States).
A favorable or unfavorable opinion is then issued for the delivery of the export license, the notification of conditions by Customs and by the DGA. Thus the right to sell is authorized, and commercial negotiations with the buyer can then follow. To be continued: Germany’s desire to harmonize the control of arms exports at the European level to limit sales to European Union and NATO countries. Countries that are clients of German industry. This situation would be a disaster for our defense industry, in view of our current commercial partners (Saudi Arabia, Egypt…).
To be continued: Germany’s desire to harmonize the control of arms exports at the European level to limit sales to European Union and NATO countries. Countries that are clients of German industry. This situation would be a disaster for our defense industry, in view of our current commercial partners (Saudi Arabia, Egypt…).