France to stop selling heavy military equipment to Pakistan: Report

France makes decision in order to ease Indian concerns and hopes to extend success with Indian armed forces contracts.


Express May 28, 2011

France has decided to stop selling heavy military equipment to Pakistan in an attempt ease Indian concerns and extend their success with contracts from India’s armed forces, reported Indian newspaper The Economic Times.

Defence Minister of France, Gerard Longuet, who is on a two day visit to India said his country did not want to be seen “feeding Pakistan’s military ambitions”.

He said that France had decided to discourage any requests for heavy equipment from Pakistan, mainly naval equipment.

India has recently shortlisted French Dassault’s Rafale and the Eurofighter Typhoon for a $12 billion dollar fighter jet deal, cutting out US giants Boeing and Lockheed. One of the most valuable and sought-after military contracts of recent years, the deal for 126 fighters has witnessed fierce competition between defence majors like Boeing and Lockheed Martin, Sweden’s Saab AB and the Russian makers of the MiG 35.

COMMENTS (31)

Hasan | 12 years ago | Reply @Maria: Maria have you ever had the opportunity to visit France? If you had you would know that it is a very wealthy country (and also a very beautiful country too). The electricity is always at the flick of the switch; the clean drinking water flows from the tap; the public transport system is first class; the social welfare system provides financial support to the needy; there are no fire-arms displayed in the streets; no armed guards; traffic flows smoothly through the streets; the sky is clean and the capital city, Paris, is called the city of love and is considered one of the most beautiful in the world ........... Do you get the picture? France has no need to ever trade with Pakistan and Pakistan will never be in a position to ever inflict economic hardship on France. We may try to kid ourselves as to our international standing however, the truth is that Pakistan is viewed by the West (and also many Eastern countries) as a terrorist haven that is ruled by corrupt and incompetent leaders (both civil and military). Pakistan must realize that the world will soon turn its back on us and only then will we appreciate the level of financial support that we have received for many years from the international community.
Cherish Raj | 12 years ago | Reply @Chebbo: You like only Chinese and North Korean stuff because there is no one else who will deal with you.Sour grapes! Please check your facts before uploading nonsense. F16s were first tested in 1974 and introduced in 1978. Rafale was first tested in 1989 and introduced in 2001- a full 23 years later.
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