French President Emmanuel Macron recently concluded his tour of South America, which he embarked on, after attending the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This high-profile diplomatic tour also serves strategic purposes, as it promotes French defense exports to allies, including Argentina and Chile. The South America tour is in line with President Macron’s commitment to bolstering military and economic collaboration, which resulted in him securing defense deals worth $4 billion.
Potential Defense Collaboration Across South America
The South America tour was covered in the French daily “La Tribune” which highlighted the duality of the trip: participating in the G20 summit and reinforcing military and economic ties with France’s main trade partners, Brazil, Argentina, and Chile. Advocating the sale of Scorpene-type diesel-electric submarines, which are developed by France’s Naval Group, was also on the agenda.
The French President first stopped in Argentina and met his counterpart, President Javier Milei, on November 16-17. Discussions were held on Argentina’s urgent need for submarine platforms, as the Argentine Navy lacks underwater operational capabilities. Concluding the visit, Macron pledged to support Argentina in procuring the submarines. It was also reported that both countries already signed a Letter of Intent outlining the sale of three Scorpène submarines back in October when Argentine Defense Minister Luis Petri visited Paris.
Towards this, Argentina hopes to proposition the parliament in green lighting a multi-year loan of $2.31 billion to finance the procurement of said submarines. This includes the $1.5 billion for the submarine and $800 million for servicing costs.
France-Brazil Defense Partnership
During the G20 Summit, which was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the French President also met with the Brazilian President Inácio “Lula” da Silva to explore the possibility of expanding Brazil’s existing submarine fleet. As per the 2009 agreement between both countries, Brazil has already acquired four Scorpène-class submarines, worth $10 billion. These submarines are currently managed by the local joint venture, Itaguaí Construções Navais. The deal is nearing its completion and will allow Brazil to manufacture critical components domestically, following a significant technology transfer.
Chile Partners With France For Advancing Submarine Technology
The last stop on the trip was Chile, a long-time trade partner of France. In fact, Chile was the first export customer of the Scorpène-class submarines and acquired two of them in 1988. These submarines remain in active service to date. Now, the country is set to launch a tender in 2026 to replace old German-built submarines, with a contract worth $1 billion. The established track record of France in delivering advanced naval solutions puts it as one of the strongest contenders for this contract. The recent visit further reaffirms France’s commitment to support Chile’s defense.
The Strategic Implications Of Military Exports
The South America tour highlights France’s dedication to strengthening defense ties amidst increasing security challenges. It is also in line with President Macron’s plan to promote French Defense Exports. Thus, by placing the Scorpène-class submarine as the cornerstone for regional stability, France not only increases its global defense presence but also strengthens existing partnerships on mutual security concerns,
Key Takeaways From Macron’s Visit
The recent visit hopes to underline France’s role as a leading defense manufacturer and partner. Hoping to address Argentina’s pressing underwater needs and expanding Brazil’s submarine platforms, both are critical to France’s international objectives. Also, as the country prepares for Chile’s upcoming tender in 2026, it strategically positions itself as a long-term military collaborator. These military deals also align with France’s diplomatic strategy and embolden its influence on the global stage.
