French President Emmanuel Macron’s South American visit included promoting French military exports, particularly submarine sales. He discussed potential acquisitions with Argentina and Brazil, emphasizing their naval modernization needs. Macron also engaged with Chile regarding future contracts, as the region seeks to update its submarine fleets.
During his recent trip to South America for the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, French President Emmanuel Macron extended his itinerary to include stops in Argentina and Chile, emphasizing the promotion of French military exports potentially exceeding $4 billion. Among the highlights of his visit was the discussion surrounding the procurement of Scorpene diesel-electric submarines developed by Naval Group, a prominent French shipbuilding company.
In Argentina, Macron engaged with President Javier Milei, discussing the Argentine Navy’s urgent need for new submarines, as their operational capacity is severely limited. Sources indicated that Macron voiced strong support for Argentina’s pursuit of acquiring three Scorpene submarines valued at approximately $1.5 billion. This follows a letter of intent signed by Argentine Defense Minister Luis Petri during a prior visit to Paris, advocating for a multiyear budgetary authorization to secure a loan to facilitate the procurement.
Following his engagement in Argentina, President Macron attended the G20 Summit in Brazil, where discussions with President Inazio “Lula” da Silva included the potential order for two additional Scorpene submarines. Brazil, having previously committed to a $10 billion agreement for similar vessels underlining technology transfer, emphasized its progress towards fulfilling that contract, which allows local production of components.
Additionally, Macron’s trip concluded with a visit to Chile, the inaugural customer of Scorpene submarines in Latin America. Chile is poised to initiate a tender in 2026 aimed at replacing its aging German-built submarines, worth an estimated $1 billion, thus presenting potential opportunity for further French military exports in the region.
The significance of President Macron’s South American trip lies in the strategic promotion of French military exports within a region that is increasingly focused on modernizing its naval capabilities. The acquisition of submarines is particularly pivotal given the challenges faced by countries like Argentina, which lack operational submarines, necessitating advanced maritime defense solutions. In addition to Argentina, Brazil and Chile’s historical ties with French shipbuilding underscore the potential for renewed contracts and collaborations, amidst Brazil’s own ongoing commitment to submarine production.
In conclusion, President Emmanuel Macron’s recent engagement in South America prominently featured discussions centered on the potential sale of Scorpene submarines, reflecting France’s commitment to strengthening military partnerships in the region. The acknowledgment of Argentina’s dire naval needs, coupled with ongoing dialogues in Brazil and Chile, signals a robust avenue for future military-related trade. Furthermore, the possibility of substantial orders could lead to enhanced naval capabilities for these South American nations, while simultaneously reinforcing France’s position as a leading supplier of defense technology.
Original Source: www.defensenews.com
