France challenging Russia as second biggest arms exporter behind US

Study shows French suppliers have more major export orders than Russia, while UK's share has dwindled

France is challenging Russia's position as the world's second biggest arms exporter behind the US, while Britain's share of the global market has dwindled, an analysis has found.

A steep increase in sales and future orders of arms to countries in Asia, Oceania and the Middle East over the last five years suggests French suppliers could surpass their Russian rivals within a decade.