DefenceTalkBrussels: European Union nations on Tuesday unanimously backed a French request for support with military missions in the wake of the Paris attacks, after France invoked a previously unused part of the bloc’s treaties to seek help. France, which launched new airstrikes against Islamic State militants in Syria after Friday’s bloodshed, used a little-known article […]https://www.defencetalk.com/french-military-aid-request-backed-by-eu-after-paris-attacks-65873/

DefenceTalkIn the wake of the Nov. 13 terrorist attacks in Paris, the United States and France will strengthen intelligence sharing to the fullest extent allowed by law, Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook said in a statement today. The United States over the past year has worked closely with the French military, intelligence and security services […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-france-to-strengthen-intelligence-sharing-65864/

DefenceTalkVersailles, France: France’s president said Monday its Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier would be deployed to the eastern Mediterranean to boost operations in Syria as Paris intensifies a bombing campaign against the Islamic State group there. The latest move follows attacks in the French capital, claimed by the jihadist group, which left 129 people dead […]https://www.defencetalk.com/france-deploys-aircraft-carrier-to-support-syria-raids-65850/

DefenceTalkWashington: The United States has given the go-ahead for its ally France to buy four Lockheed Martin C-130J military aircraft, a rival to the French-built Airbus A400M. The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency said the contract for two C-130J transports and two KC-130J fuel tankers would come to $650 million (606 million euros). Each plane […]https://www.defencetalk.com/french-military-to-buy-us-c-130-transport-aircraft-65833/

DefenceTalkRussia will supply equipment and helicopters worth over $1 billion for the Egyptian Mistral helicopter carriers, the Kremlin chief of staff said Monday. Cairo and Paris signed a contract earlier this month for the purchase of two French-made Mistral-class helicopter carriers originally built for Russia. “Russia will be, if you want, a sub-contractor, who will […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russia-to-supply-equipment-helicopters-for-egyptian-mistral-ships-65664/

DefenceTalkNew Delhi: French and Indian defence officials are to hold fresh talks Tuesday on the purchase of 36 Rafale jets, with hopes drawn-out negotiations on the multi-billion-dollar deal are close to concluding, an official said. The talks are going ahead in New Delhi after the French side agreed to an Indian government demand for future […]https://www.defencetalk.com/france-hold-crunch-talks-india-rafale-deal-65516/

DefenceTalkUnited Nations: France carried out its first air strikes against the Islamic State group in Syria on Sunday, launching a military operation as Russia and Western powers sought the upper hand in shaping the future of the war-torn country. President Francois Hollande said six French warplanes hit an IS training camp near the eastern city […]https://www.defencetalk.com/france-carries-out-first-air-strikes-on-is-in-syria-65482/

DefenceTalkParis: Canada, India, Singapore and Egypt are “seriously” interested in buying France’s two Mistral warships, a senior French official has said, after Paris scrapped a deal to sell the vessels to Russia over the Ukraine crisis. Louis Gautier, an official who advises the prime minister on defence and security matters, also told lawmakers this week […]https://www.defencetalk.com/several-countries-french-warships-withheld-from-russia-65375/

DefenceTalkKUALA LUMPUR: France has submitted a proposal to Malaysia for the purchase of 18 Rafale fighter jets, its defence minister said during a visit to Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday. “We provided a full offer to the Malaysian authorities,” Jean-Yves Le Drian said at a news conference with his Malaysian counterpart Hishammuddin Hussein. “This offer will […]https://www.defencetalk.com/france-submits-rafale-purchase-proposal-to-malaysia-65245/

DefenceTalkAfter cancelling the sale to Russia, France finds itself lumbered with two giant Mistral warships which it will find “extremely difficult” to re-sell and cannot afford to keep, say experts. The pair of 200-metre (650-foot) amphibious helicopter-carriers were due for delivery to Russia by the end of this year in a deal worth an estimated […]https://www.defencetalk.com/extremely-difficult-for-france-to-sell-mistral-warships-experts-64965/