France confirms major arms deal with Libya

adeptitus

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PARIS (AFP) - Libya has reached a major arms deal with the European aerospace giant EADS, the first since a weapons embargo was lifted on Tripoli in 2004 and a potential source of embarrassment for French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

French Defence Minister Herve Morin confirmed Friday that a letter of intent had been signed for the sale of Milan anti-tank missiles and a radio communications system worth, according to a Libyan official, 296 million euros (405 million dollars).



I find it interesting that Libya is insisting on buying Milan ATGM's that would require EU approval, when they could've easily obtained good ATGM's from Russia? Even after obtaining its independence they still look to former colonial power as preferred source for arms?
 

Ryz05

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PARIS (AFP) - Libya has reached a major arms deal with the European aerospace giant EADS, the first since a weapons embargo was lifted on Tripoli in 2004 and a potential source of embarrassment for French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

French Defence Minister Herve Morin confirmed Friday that a letter of intent had been signed for the sale of Milan anti-tank missiles and a radio communications system worth, according to a Libyan official, 296 million euros (405 million dollars).



I find it interesting that Libya is insisting on buying Milan ATGM's that would require EU approval, when they could've easily obtained good ATGM's from Russia? Even after obtaining its independence they still look to former colonial power as preferred source for arms?

Libya is probably looking for favors from the European Union and its members. By buying weapons from Europe, it's also buying support from politicians there.
 

IDonT

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Surprise Libya has not bought the Rafale yet. They may be the first foreign customers.
 

crazyinsane105

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Surprise Libya has not bought the Rafale yet. They may be the first foreign customers.

The Rafale is being rejected from every country it's been offered to so far. It would be very costly and unnecessary for Libya to even purchase Rafales, they should just stick with their Mirage aircraft and buy upgrades for them.
 
D

Deleted member 675

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The Rafale is being rejected from every country it's been offered to so far. It would be very costly and unnecessary for Libya to even purchase Rafales, they should just stick with their Mirage aircraft and buy upgrades for them.

I agree - Libya doesn't need the Rafale.

France is getting so stuffed on export orders. At the rate it's going the only hope would be for Taiwan to not get the F-16 Block 52 deal - there have been rumours that Taiwan and France could sort something out with the Rafale, maybe upgrading the Mirages as well to sweeten the deal.
 
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flyzies

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Out of curiosity, why are countries rejecting the Rafale?
Is it just the price or is the aircraft lacking something?
 

Clouded Leopard

Junior Member
I agree - Libya doesn't need the Rafale.

France is getting so stuffed on export orders. At the rate it's going the only hope would be for Taiwan to not get the F-16 Block 52 deal - there have been rumours that Taiwan and France could sort something out with the Rafale, maybe upgrading the Mirages as well to sweeten the deal.


Taiwan can twist France's arm for some tech on the Scorpene submarines....:D
 
D

Deleted member 675

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Out of curiosity, why are countries rejecting the Rafale?

Is it just the price or is the aircraft lacking something?

I think it's down to a few things. First, it isn't as cheap as the latest F-16 or something like Grippen. Second, there aren't that many countries that have experience with French weaponary that could afford it - whereas the US has much wider market penetration, as it were. Third, some people don't consider the Rafale the equal of things like the F-35 or Typhoon (a matter of perception, not "truth").

I don't think Rafale is a bad plane at all. Maybe a simpler way of putting it is that it's not cheap enough to appeal to countries who are on a budget but not "classy" or "technologically superior" to justify a purchase by a country with a large budget.

Taiwan can twist France's arm for some tech on the Scorpene submarines.... :D

I don't think they're that desperate yet. ;)
 

adeptitus

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Report: Libya to order 13-18 French Rafale fighter jets in $3.24 b deal

No, I don't believe Libya would spend $3.24 billion on 13-18 aircraft. We're talking about a country with what, $1.x billion annual military budget?
 
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