WASHINGTON, Jan. 20 (UPI) -- France's arms exports to other countries reached an all-time high after nearly doubling sales to $17.4 billion in 2015 from $9 billion in 2014.
Four major France-based defense contractors contributed to the increase in exports: Dassault, Airbus, MBDA Missile, and DCNS. A majority of sales went to Middle Eastern countries, including Dassault Aviation-made Rafale fighter jets to the governments of Egypt and Qatar, French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drain confirmed to La Tribune.