France decided to cut its dependence on US components in its weapons systems to minimise Washington's ability to block its arms exports.
French Defence Minister Florence Parly said reducing dependence on US-made components was necessary so as not to hinder the export of French military products. Without giving specific examples, French Defence Minister Florence Parly said France needed to “gradually wean ourselves off our reliance on a certain number of American parts.”
Washington has this year blocked the sale to Egypt of French-made SCALP cruise missiles, which contain a US part.
Meanwhile, European missile manufacturer MBDA has already started the process of making its products ITAR-free. Its future air-to-air missile MICA-NG which will be operational in 2025, will be free of ITAR-restricted components, La Tribune reported.
