WEEKLY SUMMARY SPECIAL REPORT THE GROWING INFLUENCE OF FRENCH ARMS EXPORTS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79-00927A006100090002-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: December 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 8, 2005
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: December 8, 1967
• Content Type: SUMMARY

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DIRECTORATE OF
INTELLIGENCE
WEEKLY SUMMARY
Special Report
The Growing Influence of French Arms Exports
Secret
8 December 1967
No. 0319/67A
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In recent years France has joined the US and
USSR as a leading exporter of military equipment
to the non-Communist world. In 1966 France ex-
ported aircraft and other military hardware items
valued at about $550 million, and the level of
activity in 1967 probably will be about as high.
US arms exports in 1965 were about $1.2 billion
and in 1966 about $1.1 billion; sales in 1967
probably will be a little under $1 b
illion. Soviet
arms exports have been running at ab
out $1 billion
annually in recent years, nearly half to non-Com-
munist countries.
The French decision to push exports of mili-
tary equipment reflects economic considerations
as well as Paris' desire to expand its political
influence. France reasons that as long as the
US and the USSR engage in arms trade there is no
reason to deny French suppliers the opportunity
to make lucrative military sales. The moderniza-
tion of French military forces in recent years has
caused many aircraft and tanks to be declared
surplus. If Paris cannot sell this equipment it
will be relegated to the scrap pile. The Mirage
5 aircraft and certain other weapon systems France
is producing, on the other hand, are intended
specifically for the export market.
There is pressure within France to sell as
much equipment as possible during the next few
years, since French arms dealers fear,that settle-
ment of the Vietnamese conflict would result in
a flood of US equipment on the export market.
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Aircraft--the New Moneymaker
For many years French mili-
tary exports consisted largely of
standard ground force weapons and
equipment. Exports of aircraft
have been increasing rapidly,
however, and in 1966 had grown
to about 85 percent of the total
figure, in terms of value. Ex-
ports in 1967 probably have fol-
lowed the same general pattern.
The three principal aircraft
delivered to date are the super-
sonic Mirage III fighter, the
Alouette helicopter, and the Fouga
Magister trainer, which can be
armed and pressed into service
as a ground support fighter.
Other aircraft exported by France
include Vautour, Mystere, and
Ouragan fighters; Morane Saulnier
trainers; Super Frelon helicop-
ters; and the Noratlas military
transport.
The Mirage 5 has been sold
to several countries, but as yet
no deliveries have been made.
This aircraft is basically a
Mirage III stripped of much of
its electronics gear to reduce
both weight and cost. The weight
reduction gives the aircraft a
greater fuel capacity and, con-
sequently, range. It has been
redesigned to permit it to carry
heavier loads on bombing missions.
The cost of the Mirage 5, without
provisions for. furnishing spare
parts and training pilots, is
about $3. million, compared with
the $1.5 million price tag on the
Mirage III.
France, one of the world's
largest producers of tactical mis-
siles, had exported about 100,000
by the end of 1965. A large num-
ber of those now being sold are
antitank weapons--the SS-11, SS-12,
and Entac. Smaller numbers of air-
to-air and air-to-surface missiles
also are being exported.
Through 1966, France has sold
nearly 1,000 AMX-13 tanks to about a
dozen countries. Several nations are
negotiating for the purchase of the
newer and heavier AMX-30. The
French have also sold conventional
military vehicles, artillery pieces,
and small arms to many countries.
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French Arms Sold to the Free World
Mirage III Interceptor
Mirage 5
Alouette Helicopter
Super Frelon Helicopter
Daphne Class Submarine
TTT(_;i
3 Tank
AMX-30 Tank
4r
Panhard Armored Car
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France also has begun to sell
naval craft. Contracts for about
ten Daphne-class torpedo attack
submarines have been signed, with
deliveries to stretch out through
1972. High-speed destroyer es-
corts also have been sold, and
Israel may have a contract for
patrol boats.
Joint Projects
France is participating with
other countries in joint projects
for the development of weapon
systems that will strengthen its
military capability and may pro-
vide profitable exports. The
French and British are working
together on the Jaguar fighter
and the Martel air-to-surface
missile, a guided weapon designed
to be launched by tactical air-
craft. Another air-to-surface
missile, the AS-34, is being de-
veloped jointly with West Germany.
The French and Germans are work-
ing together on two antitank mis-
siles, a surface-to-air missile,
and a transport aircraft. France
and South Africa are cooperating
in the development of another
type of surface-to-air missile.
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