France delivered military equipment to Russia between 2015 and 2020, so after European sanctions following the annexation of Crimea, under previous contracts, according to published revelations Monday, March 14 via online media Disclose.
“According to “confidential-defence” documents obtained by Disclose and open source information, France has issued at least 76 war material export licenses to Russia since 2015”, said the media, which has distinguished itself several times by publishing information on French arms sales. the “total amount of these contracts” amounts to “152 million euros, as stated in the latest report to Parliament on arms exports”adds Disclose.
The government has confirmed this information, but denies any breach. “It was a residual flow, resulting from past contracts, mentioned in our annual reports to Parliament, and which gradually died out”sums up the Ministry of the Armed Forces to the Worldadding that the arms embargo on Russia, decided by the European Union since 1er August 2014, after the annexation of Crimea by Moscow, authorized the delivery of arms linked to contracts signed before the embargo. ” France is not, moreover, the only European country. to have thus acted, specifies the ministry.
Cameras for armored vehicles
Among the equipment delivered are thermal cameras to equip armored vehicles, according to Disclose, who adds that these materials are perhaps used by the Russian army in Ukraine. French industry has also delivered navigation systems and imaging systems for helicopters to the Russian Air Force, according to the media.
“Each license is examined on a case-by-case basis, taking into account each specific situation, in accordance with our international commitments, including the common position and our well-understood interest since 2014 not to supply arms to Russia. Moreover, in 2015 for the Mistrals, France chose not to export these buildings”continues the Ministry of the Armed Forces.
Neither the Elysee nor the Quai d’Orsay wished to communicate on this subject.