Did France “let a foreign group buy the French flagship of the defense industry” in the middle of the war in Ukraine?

Florian Philippe has accused the French government of selling the flagship of the defense industry to a foreign group.

The Patriots founder confirms that the supplier Arcus will now be a Belgian company affiliated with Volvo.

The company, specializing in military vehicles, belongs to a Swedish group since 2018.

For this self-proclaimed “patriot”, the decision takes on a high profile “Treason”. In a publication posted online on Tuesday 16 January, Florian Philippot accused Emmanuel Macron, Gabriel Ettel and Bruno Le Maire. “Let foreign group buy French flagship of defense industry”. According to details from the former MEP, a Belgian company with ties to a Swedish manufacturer would have got its hands on Arqus, “Which manufactures armored vehicles recognized all over the world”. A very serious strategic choice in the eyes of this Eurosceptic. But really the executive is “French knowledge sold in the name of Europe” ?

On January 15, we actually learned that Arquus could be bought by John Cockerill’s company. The latter is actually a Belgian company, specializing in engineering and maintenance. Based in Sering, in French-speaking Wallonia, it is particularly active in arms. That is why, since 2017, the group has been trying to acquire Arqus, which for example makes chassis for the famous Caesar cannons. The transaction, estimated at around 300 million euros, should be finalized in the third quarter of 2024, according to the company’s press release. A way for John Cockerill to transform himself “European Defense Champion”. To the detriment of French industry? There is no way.

A company owned by Volvo since 2002

Contrary to what Florian Philippot suggests, it has been a long time since a light armored vehicle manufacturer was owned by a French. If, at the time of its creation in 1966, the company was actually a branch of the Renault Group, called Renault Trucks Defence, it was taken over by the Swedish Volvo Group in 2001. That is, more than 20 years ago. Which does not mean that the product is exported, quite the opposite. In December 2016, more than 3,700 light vehicles were ordered from the French subsidiary, which is headquartered in Versailles. In 2019, less than 1,200 products left four production sites across France.

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In fact, this sale to the Belgian group will bring the tycoon closer to France than it will be away from it. John Cockerill has in fact owned Bernard Serin since 2002, a Frenchman who has been involved in the industry since the beginning of his career. With this purchase, the group wants to strengthen its support for the supply of armored vehicles for France. In a press release, the CEO promises vehicles “Starting with France, Belgium and other partner countries, to equip land forces worldwide more innovative and more competitive.”

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