French President Emmanuel Macron urged European countries to buy European-made weapons instead of U.S. equipment to strengthen Europe’s military industry.
“My intention is to go and convince European states that have become accustomed to buying American,” Macron told French media including Le Parisien on Saturday.
Macron suggested alternatives like the Franco-Italian SAMP/T missile defense system over the U.S.-made Patriot and the French Rafale fighter jet instead of the American F-35. “That’s the way to increase the rate of production,” he remarked.
Nice-Matin reported that Macron has urged French defense companies to streamline processes and lower costs of military equipment to make it a more attractive option.
Macron’s push comes as NATO’s European members buy more U.S. weapons. Belgium and the Netherlands are continuing their F-35 acquisitions, while Portugal is reconsidering its decision to replace F-16s with F-35s due to U.S. policies within NATO.
Outside Europe, Canada’s new Prime Minister Mark Carney has ordered a review of Ottawa’s plan to buy up to 88 F-35s. Canada has budgeted for only 16 planes so far, leaving its final decision open.
