France wants to be “irreproachable” in the military components it delivers to the Jewish state

Components could have been delivered until very recently, recognized Tuesday the French Minister of the Armed Forces, Sébastien Lecornu. These were “elementary components”, he added.

France intends to be “irreproachable” regarding the delivery of components intended for Israel’s military equipment, assured the French Minister of the Armed Forces, Sébastien Lecornu, Tuesday February 27. The latter stressed that his services responsible for giving the green light to these exports had recently issued unfavorable opinions.

In 2022, exports of components to Israel represented “15 million euros”either “0.2% of overall transfers”detailed Sébastien Lecornu. “Objectively, there is no arms relationship as such with Israel”he noted, adding that France and Israel were in competition “in a number of markets”.

However, components were able to be delivered until very recently, the minister acknowledged. It was about “elementary components”such as “ball bearings, glazing, cooling systems, potentiometers, pressure sensors”. “In general, these are weapons which are intended to be re-exported from Israel to other clients”he assured.

Be “even more rigorous”

Since the start of the war between Hamas and Israel, Sébastien Lecornu has asked the competent services “to be even more rigorous in the way we question the use of these components”. Alone “some licenses were able to be given” for the Israeli Iron Dome, this defensive device allowing the interception of rockets and missiles aimed at Israel.

“I do not have all the latest elements, but the last opinions my ministry issued were unfavorable opinions”underlined the Minister of the Armed Forces. “It is precisely to be irreproachable in this matter. All this, obviously in a very frank dialogue with Tel Aviv.”