French Parliamentary Report: Export Licenses Open the Door to Major Defense Acquisitions for Armenia
03.11.2025
The Report to the French Parliament on Arms Exports for 2024, prepared in the summer of 2025 by the French government, recorded the beginning of growing military cooperation with Armenia.
In the section “Support for Armenia,” the report clearly states that France firmly supports Armenia in defending its territory and population, acting strictly within defensive boundaries. This step is presented as a response to Armenia’s decision to diversify its defense partnerships.
To ensure operational coordination and rapid response to its partner’s needs, a French defense mission was established in Yerevan. The level of cooperation remains high, as confirmed by regular meetings between the defense ministers of the two countries. According to the report, until 2022 there were no French defense exports to Armenia, but contracts were concluded at the end of 2023 and in 2024. Other projects are under discussion, including those aimed at supporting the development of Armenia’s industrial and technological defense base.
Long-term potential: volume of export licenses
An indicator of the scale of the partnership is the volume of Military List (ML) export licenses issued by France. According to the report, in 2024 France issued 29 export licenses for Armenia, with a total value of 2.756 billion euros. This figure does not correspond to the actual volume of sales—it sets the upper limit of permitted deliveries, a kind of “umbrella authorization” for years ahead, within which French defense companies can sign contracts without additional bureaucratic procedures or having to wait for government approval.
In reality, the contracts signed by Armenia by the end of 2024 amounted to 278.5 million euros, according to the report. The issuance of such a large volume of licenses despite relatively small signed contracts demonstrates France’s commitment to strengthening Armenia’s defense capabilities—focused on the most advanced and critically important systems for high-tech warfare.
Essentially, France has opened up space for Armenia for large-scale acquisitions and future modernization programs, viewing Armenia as a long-term military-technical partner rather than a one-time client. The issued licenses eliminate the risk of administrative delays, creating a mechanism for the accelerated approval of new contracts and their subsequent modifications.
Priorities of partnership: firepower systems and technological protection
A breakdown of the ten Military List (ML) license categories designated for Armenia is as follows. ML1: weapons with a caliber below 20 mm, other weapons with a caliber of 12.7 mm or less, and specially designed accessories and components for them. ML2: weapons with a caliber of 20 mm or more, other weapons or armaments over 12.7 mm, grenade launchers, launchers, and specially designed accessories and components for them. ML3: ammunition and fuze-setting devices, and specially designed components for them. ML4: bombs, torpedoes, rockets, missiles, other explosive devices and charges, as well as related equipment, accessories, and components designed for them. ML5: fire control, surveillance, and warning equipment, as well as associated systems and test/calibration/countermeasure equipment specially designed for military use, including components and accessories. ML11: electronic equipment and components not listed elsewhere in the EU Common Military List. ML15: imaging (visualization) equipment or countermeasure devices specially designed for military use, including their components and accessories. ML21: software. ML22: technologies.
Analysis of the license structure shows that the main potential lies in weapons forming the foundation of modern defense—nearly 70 percent is intended for systems of direct fire impact. Category ML2 (artillery and large-caliber weapons over 20 mm) accounts for 1.162 billion euros, the largest share, indicating long-term plans to deliver Caesar self-propelled howitzers and possibly compatible artillery systems. Category ML4, which covers missiles and rockets, amounts to 748.6 million euros, while ML3 (ammunition) adds another 265.6 million euros. Combined, this means that, given the financial capacity and political will of its leadership, Armenia could form a sustainable rocket and artillery base with France’s help.
This development path is also complemented by active artillery purchases from India. Armenia is already a buyer of Indian Pinaka multiple rocket launcher systems and tube artillery (for example, towed 155/52 howitzers and MArG 155/39 self-propelled howitzers), underlining a comprehensive approach to modernizing artillery with multiple international partners.
Of no less interest is the area of high-tech protection and control. Categories ML15 (countermeasures and surveillance) and ML5 (fire control) likely involve the development of electronic warfare systems, anti-drone defenses, and precision targeting. Essentially, this indicates a shift from quantitative buildup toward “intelligentization” of armaments—creating a networked defense environment where efficiency is ensured by reaction speed and information quality.
In addition, the licenses include deliveries of small arms (ML1), military electronics (ML11), software (ML21), and technologies (ML22), forming a foundation for the comprehensive modernization of the army.
First deliveries and military training
According to the report, the actual value of delivered equipment in 2023–2024 amounted to only 20.8 million euros (11.5 million in 2023 and 9.3 million in 2024), likely the advance phase of larger programs. Among the transferred items was probably the first batch of Bastion armored vehicles delivered in 2023, which became one of the symbols of the early stage of cooperation. These vehicles are designed for personnel transport and combat operations in specific conditions.
In 2023–2024, discussions included the supply of three Thales Ground Master (GM200) radars, Safran night-vision devices, PGM rifles, potential deliveries of Mistral short-range air defense systems, and a contract for 36 Caesar self-propelled howitzers was signed.
The report also notes that under current agreements, Armenia received 15 portable anti-tank systems in 2024 (no modification specified). In addition to commercial deliveries, France provided gratuitous military aid to Armenia, including light small arms and ammunition, as well as other non-lethal equipment. This is a common practice in which commercial partnership is combined with elements of direct support—strengthening trust and creating conditions for long-term integration.
A special emphasis is placed on training Armenian military personnel. Cadets are being trained at France’s Saint-Cyr Military Academy, and Armenian army units are training under French instructors. These programs are shaping a new generation of Armenian officers oriented toward new standards and tactics.
It is important to note that the gap between the authorized export ceiling of 2.756 billion euros, signed contracts amounting to 278.5 million euros, and the actual delivered equipment of 20.8 million euros by the end of 2024 highlights that the realization of this potential largely depends on Armenia’s own approach.
Key factors will be Yerevan’s political will and financial capacity, its readiness for deeper defense cooperation, and, most importantly, the place that defense cooperation with France occupies among Armenia’s national defense priorities and strategic interests in the coming years.
It is also notable that, alongside weapons purchases from India, Armenia may potentially focus on technological modernization and high-precision armaments from France, as reflected in the license structure (ML2, ML4, ML5, ML15).
Ultimately, French-Armenian partnership may become one of the key elements in Armenia’s defense diversification strategy, granting access to Western technologies and military education standards (Saint-Cyr) and laying the foundation for strengthening national security.
Eduard Arakelyan
RCDS
The article was originally published on Civilnet.