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Arms sales in France increased by 30% in 2018, while Qatar, Belgium and Saudi Arabia supplement its major customers, according to an annual report from the French Armed Forces Ministry to Parliament released to the public .
The turnover amounts to 9.1 billion euros, according to the report. France has sold for 1 billion euros of arms to Saudi Arabia, of which 500 million are intended for the purchase of patrol boats. Patrol boats were used against Houthi-controlled ports in Yemen to create a naval blockade.
France's arms sales to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have been widely criticized by human rights groups and activists who claim that French weapons have contributed to the Yemeni crisis.
France has described the conflict in Yemen as a "dirty war" that must stop, but it continues to sell arms to Saudi Arabia, the country that is leading the attack against the Houthis.
"Maintaining economic relations with these countries means maintaining a presence in key regions for our security interests and energy supply," said Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly in a preface to the report.
"It's also about fighting terrorism and protecting our nationals on the ground," she added.
As the leading arms exporter, France maintains that it follows the rules of international treaties and applies a rigorous sales policy.
According to the report, sales in the Middle East in 2018 reached four billion euros, due to a request from Qatar for fighter jets and Rafale helicopters. Qatar, a rival of Saudi Arabia, is not part of the coalition fighting in Yemen.
The UAE and Egypt, however, reduced their arms orders.
France has pushed its sales in Europe to repel aggressive tactics of arms sales in the United States, which has resulted in several orders in Belgium and Spain.
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