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Blog AnalysisArms export, disarmament

France remains at the top of European exports to Saudi Arabia for 2017

(B2 - exclusive) The latest report of the European Union on arms exports (which is not yet published, but obtained by B2) for the year 2017 shows, as in previous years, a leading position of France for arms exports to Saudi Arabia.

France remains in the lead

France thus granted 172 export licenses for an amount of 14,6 billion and a real amount of 1,38 billion realized. We note, as in previous years, (read: Who in Europe is exporting weapons to Saudi Arabia? Is Paris a privileged partner of Ryad?) a very strong differential, rather extraordinary in its consistency, between the exports made and those authorized (a higher ratio of 1 to 10 for 2017).

A very clear dominance

This represents a clear majority of European exports: 30% of authorized licenses and 60% of actual exports. The countries of the European Union have in fact granted 588 licenses for an amount of 17,3 billion and exported 2,27 billion. It should be noted that three countries did not provide the export rate achieved in 2017: United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium.

United Kingdom then Bulgaria and Spain follow

In second position, the United Kingdom with 144 licenses for an amount of 1,28 billion (*). Bulgaria comes third with 40 licenses, for an amount of 385 million euros and 417 million euros achieved. And Spain with 27 licenses for an amount of 496 million euros and 270 million euros realized is in fourth position.

Germany and Italy reduce their export volume, Belgium goes up

Germany is in fifth position with 132 licenses for an amount of 254 million (*) and Belgium is in sixth position with 8 licenses granted for an amount of 152 million euros (*) ahead of Italy with 12 licenses for an amount of 52 million (and 131 million realized). It can be noted that while Belgium has increased these authorizations, both Germany and Italy have clearly decreased compared to the previous year 2016.

A group of Eastern countries brings up the rear

Further on, there is a group of five eastern countries:

  • Croatia with 7 licenses for 48 million euros (and 21 million euros realized);
  • Slovakia with 3 licenses for 20 million euros (and 48.725 euros achieved);
  • the Czech Republic with 9 licenses for 18 million (and 28 million achieved);
  • Romania with 1 license for 5 million (and 14 million achieved);
  • Poland with 5 licenses for 4,7 million (2,4 million made).

The amounts remain modest compared to the leading countries, but are relatively large in proportion to the defense economy of these countries.

Some minor export countries

Apart from Finland — with 1 license for 1,5 million euros (5,3 million exported) — the four other European countries mentioned (Denmark, Hungary, Portugal, Sweden) have granted or carry out exports for amounts minors.

Six refusals of licenses

In 2017, 6 licenses were refused for three main reasons: risk of diversion of technology or military equipment in the buyer country or re-export; preservation of regional peace, security and stability; material that could be used for violations of human rights and international humanitarian law.

(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)

(*) It is not possible to distinguish countries that have not provided this figure from countries that only made 0 exports in 2017 (having authorized licenses)

Read also: Parliament wants to call for increased control of arms exports and an embargo on Saudi Arabia

Nicolas Gros Verheyde

Chief editor of the B2 site. Graduated in European law from the University of Paris I Pantheon Sorbonne and listener to the 65th session of the IHEDN (Institut des Hautes Etudes de la Défense Nationale. Journalist since 1989, founded B2 - Bruxelles2 in 2008. EU/NATO correspondent in Brussels for Sud-Ouest (previously West-France and France-Soir).

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