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View Full Version : France, 32.4 billion Euros for defense



Miles Teg
11-05-2003, 06:32 AM
LEMONDE.FR | 05.11.03 | 09h13


La défense est le deuxième budget de l'Etat après l'éducation
Les députés ont adopté dans la nuit de mardi à mercredi le budget de la défense 2004, qui s'élève à 32,4 milliards d'euros, hors pensions, en hausse de 9,2 % pour les crédits d'équipement, l'opposition ayant voté contre.


Defense is the second budget of the state after education.
The deputies adopted in the night of Tuesday to Wednesday the budget of the defense 2004, which rises to 32,4 billion euros, except pensions, in rise of 9,2 % for the appropriations of equipment, the opposition having voted against.

During the debates, the Minister for defense, Michele Alliot-Marie, engaged so that each euro for defense is used as well as possible.

"It should be taken care that each euro is used best", it declared by presenting the second budget of the State behind the education and the first budget of investment of the State.

The budget, pensions included, rises to 41,56 billion euros. It envisages the delivery of the nuclear submarine launcher of machines of new generation the Vigilant one and five fighters Rafale, the ordering of M51 missiles, 44 tanks AMX and four European frigates multi-missions, as well as the placing in orbit of the satellites Syracuse III and Photogravure II.

It also fixes manpower of the armies at approximately 455 000 people, including 168 000 in the Terrestr Army.

The ministry also envisages to entrust to private companies the management of the residences of the gendarmes and its 25 000 civil vehicles, as well as the supply of hours of flight for the initial training of the pilots of helicopters.

stephane from Paris
11-05-2003, 08:29 AM
Most of the budget is due for upgrading the poor level of "ready to serve".
The military forces need tons of parts for repairs tanks, hellicos....
I'm not sure that the first new Tiger attack helo is in unit! The rafale plane will not buy for air force before some years ! The priority is gone for navy ones (the first are in operationals tests).
The NH90 transport helo will be in units only in 2008 (Germans will have their first in 2005).
Since the military forces are now all full of profesionals, the cost in money grow for 20% with half soldiers than with conscrips.

The defence budget was reduce (15%) after the fall of the Berlin wall, this budget is just for requilibrate military forces.