French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu will embark on a Middle East tour from September 6 to 11, encompassing visits to Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Kuwait, as confirmed by his department on Monday.
The trip to Saudi Arabia represents the first by a French Defense Minister in half a decade. The primary agenda revolves around reigniting dialogues and will involve meetings with key figures like Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman.
While in Kuwait, Lecornu will engage in discussions centered on “operational cooperation” with Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Sheikh Ahmed Fahad Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah, emphasizing military training. Moreover, he will interact with French troops involved in Operation “Chammal,” a mission against ISIS in Syria and Iraq.
Lecornu’s visit to the UAE includes scheduled meetings with the nation’s President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Defense Minister Mohammed Al Bowardi. He’ll also spend time with the stationed French military in the UAE. The defense ties between the two nations are exemplified by a permanent French military unit in the UAE with over 650 members and significant arms deals.
Highlighting the strength of French arms exports in 2022, they hit an unprecedented €27 billion, significantly influenced by the UAE’s €16 billion purchase of 80 Rafale fighter jets, as per a report to the French parliament.
