France has announced that it is raising its defence equipment spending by 6.1% to Fr86 billion ($14.3 billion) in 1999, marking the largest single increase in defence spending since 1990.
The new budget, which has been presented to the all-party defence commission in the National Assembly and to the Senate, will be voted on along with the rest of the defence budget this month. The total budget will be Fr190 billion.
The latest figure for equipment spending follows a cut in the 1998 budget to FFr80 billion which was made pending a review of French defence spending by Alain Richard, the country's defence minister. Now that the review has been completed, Richard has lifted spending to Fr86 billion.
While the latest spending figure does not include funding for a multi-year procurement of the Dassault Rafale fighter, Richard promises the initial order will be placed "early next year".
Procurement chief Jean-Yves Helmer confirmed that the order for a first tranche of 48 aircraft will be broken into two portions - a firm order for 20 aircraft, worth Fr10.3 billion and an option for a further 20, which will be taken up towards the end of 1999. The budget provides Fr889 million for the Franco-German Tiger anti-tank helicopter, with an order for the first 80 aircraft set for this year. The four nation NH90 transport helicopter receives Fr508 million.
Source: Flight International
