France’s military equipment sales: The GCC component

French security presence in the Gulf region has increased over the past five years, as France expands its interests throughout the Middle East. This has been facilitated by Gulf countries turning to purchasing French fighter jets, helicopters, naval weapons, and air defenses as an alternative to American weapons, which require complex procedures to acquire them.

In a report published on March 13, 2023, the British newspaper The Guardian indicated that France has become the second largest arms exporter after the United States, surpassing Russia, which now occupies third place. According to the report, among France's top five clients, the Arab Gulf ranks fourth and may soon rise to third place.

Military influence in the Gulf

French military and security cooperation with the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) began to take shape in 2009 when Paris established Camp de la Paix ("Peace Camp") in Abu Dhabi, which became its first military base in the region. The United Arab Emirates, in particular, stands out among its GCC neighbors as the host of this base, which accommodates around 700 military personnel.

French military and security cooperation with the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) began to take shape in 2009 

A report by France 24 in December 2021 highlights that Emirati-French relations began in 1971 and have steadily developed in various sectors such as the economy, trade, investments, renewable and nuclear energy, oil, defense, security, education, and culture. During his visit to the UAE in late 2021, French President Emmanuel Macron signed an agreement in which the Emiratis would acquire 80 Rafale fighter jets and 12 Caracal helicopters, worth 17 billion euros (18.5 billion US dollars), with the delivery of aircraft scheduled to begin in 2027.

It is worth noting that Abu Dhabi provided financial support to France during its military campaign in Mali in 2011.

Speaking to Raseef22, Dr. Amjad Taha, the Regional Director of the British Middle East Centre for Studies and Research, explains the most prominent forms of military cooperation between France and Gulf countries, stating, "Regarding military exercises and joint training programmes, France and the Gulf countries often participate in joint military maneuvers to enhance interoperability and military capabilities. Additionally, France is known for exporting various military equipment to the Gulf countries, including naval vessels, fighter and combat aircrafts, armored vehicles, and surveillance systems."

France and the Gulf countries regularly participate in joint military exercises, as well as defense equipment sales and exports of various military equipment to the Gulf. How is this distributed among the Gulf states and why has it escalated in recent years?

He adds, "France and the Gulf states cooperate in the exchange of intelligence information, counterterrorism efforts, and maritime security to address regional security challenges. This includes advisory missions and military support, where French military advisors and experts provide assistance and guidance to Gulf countries in areas such as defense strategy, organizational development, and military modernization."

He lists the most notable French military equipment provided to Gulf countries, "Rafale combat and fighter aircrafts, warships, and armored vehicles. Gulf countries have purchased French armored vehicles such as the main battle tank Leclerc and the VBCI infantry fighting vehicle, to bolster their ground forces. Additionally, surveillance and reconnaissance systems, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and radars, are provided to support Gulf countries in monitoring their borders and enhancing situational awareness."

The UAE and Qatar's position

According to Taha, "France and the UAE face common security challenges, including regional instability, terrorist threats, and maritime security risks. Military cooperation allows them to effectively deal with these challenges. Furthermore, strong political and economic relations between the UAE and France serve as a foundation for deepening defense cooperation." He also highlights that France possesses advanced military technologies and defense expertise that are of interest to the UAE, enabling it to enhance its defense capabilities and achieve its security objectives.

For its part, Qatar has been keen on enhancing its high military capabilities by benefiting from French expertise in this field. In 2017, amid increasing tensions in the Gulf region, Qatar promptly purchased 12 Rafale fighter jets and around 500 military vehicles from France.

According to a report by Eurasia Review in April 2023, defense cooperation is one of the pillars of bilateral relations between Qatar and France, encompassing arms deals, training, and regular military exercises. The report notes that the Qatari naval forces have received significant French reinforcements with the arrival of several warships manufactured by the Fincantieri company. Additionally, a significant portion of the Qatari Air Force consists of French-made Mirage and Rafale aircrafts, with few British and American equipment.

Qatar has been keen on enhancing its high military capabilities by benefiting from French expertise in this field. In 2017, amid increasing tensions in the Gulf region, Qatar purchased 12 Rafale fighter jets and around 500 military vehicles from France

Qatari security and political expert Saleh al-Gharib speaks to Raseef22 about the history of Qatari-French relations, stating, "Military cooperation between the State of Qatar and the French Republic dates back to the agreement signed in Paris on October 22, 1977, and the technical agreement for military cooperation signed on October 24, 1998, regarding ways to develop and enhance effective cooperation between the two countries based on the principle of shared interests."

He adds, "Both countries are bound by the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations dated April 18, 1961, and the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations dated April 24, 1963."

Al-Gharib points out that "Qatar purchased from France in 2017, 12 Rafale fighter jets worth 1.1 billion euros, and 50 Airbus A321 aircrafts worth 5.5 billion euros. It also signed a letter of intent to purchase 490 armored vehicles worth approximately 1.5 billion euros from the French company Nexter. Prior to that, Qatar purchased 24 Rafale fighter jets worth 6.3 billion euros in 2015, and in 2019, Doha received the first batch of them."

The French-Saudi rapprochement

Recently, mutual visits between Saudi and French military and security officials have noticeably increased. According to information from the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), military cooperation with Paris focuses on areas of security training and arming the land, sea, and air forces in the Kingdom. The countries are bound by a security agreement in the field of security and defense forces, and France is one of the most important destinations for Saudi Arabia in the field of armament, especially in the maritime and aerial domains.

France's military presence in the Gulf and its participation in military operations against ISIS contributed to enhancing its image as an influential actor in the region, according to the French diplomatic mission in Kuwait

Saudi security expert Abdul Karim al-Hushairy tells Raseef22, "In December 2021, the two countries signed huge deals in the military aviation field, including a joint project with Airbus in military aviation. The value of French weapons exports to Saudi Arabia, including fighter jets, exceeds $22 billion. In 2015, Riyadh concluded a deal to purchase 23 French helicopters worth $500 million."

He points out that "in 2008, both countries signed a security training and arming agreement for the land, sea, and air forces in the Kingdom. In 2022, the Royal Saudi Naval Forces in the Western Fleet launched the first group of French Gowind-class fast patrol vessels, which will contribute to enhancing maritime security in the region and protecting the vital and strategic interests of the Kingdom."

France helped establish an ammunition factory in al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia, in 1953, which now produces unmanned aircrafts and drones

According to the security expert, French-Saudi military relations date back to ancient times but have witnessed significant development in recent years. However, in 1944, King Abdulaziz signed the Quincy Agreement with the United States: oil in exchange for security. Nevertheless, the French Republic assisted in establishing an ammunition factory in al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia, in 1953, which now produces unmanned aircrafts such as the Luna drone, as well as radars, tanks, vehicles, rifles, scopes, and ammunition.

Relations with Kuwait and Bahrain

The Kuwaiti newspaper Al Qabas published a news article on July 14, 2022, about the French ambassador to the country, Claire Le Flécher, affirming the long-term defense relationship between the two countries, which strengthened after the liberation of Kuwait in 1991. France trained 500 Kuwaiti military personnel and soldiers, and provided Kuwait with advanced military and defense equipment.

France and Kuwait are connected in the field of defense through an agreement signed in 1992, which was the first agreement signed by France with a country in the Arab Gulf. The two countries renewed this agreement in 2009. France's military presence in the Gulf and its participation in military operations against ISIS contributed to enhancing its image as an influential actor in the region, according to the French diplomatic mission in Kuwait.

Military relations between Bahrain and France have also witnessed significant developments, especially after the signing of the Manama Agreement for Military Cooperation between the two countries in 2009.

France and Kuwait are connected in the field of defense through an agreement signed in 1992, which was the first agreement signed by France with a country in the Arab Gulf. The two countries renewed this agreement in 2009

According to the Bahraini newspaper Al-Wasat, the two countries have close cooperation in the military field. The visit of King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to France in 1979, when he was the Crown Prince, paved the way for this close military cooperation between the two countries, which increased significantly after the Second Gulf War, especially in the exchange of experts, training, and the preparation of joint military exercise programmes.

In addition, there is French-Bahraini cooperation in the security field, which includes the exchange of intelligence information in combating terrorism. In January 2023, the French newspaper La Tribune revealed that Bahrain intends to purchase French warships of the "Gowind 2500 multi-mission Corvette" type.