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French government says 2009 was record year for arms purchases
Feb 8, 2010, 14:14 GMT
Paris - France invested the record sum of 19.3 billion euros (26.4 billion dollars) on equipping its army last year, the government defence and weapons agency DGA said Monday in Paris.
Despite the worst recession in decades, 60 Rafale fighter jets and 65 war ships and boats were ordered in 2009, the agency said.
Investment had increased by 123 per cent over that of the previous year, and arms exports had increased by 21 per cent.
The French government had also given the green light for the controversial sale of Mistral helicopters to Russia, according to the agency.
In the meantime, the Russian government had expressed interest in buying four ships. The request would be examined in the coming weeks.
Other western states have been cautious about selling armaments to Russia. The US in particular is concerned about a technology transfer, which could damage NATO interests.
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