French Military Action in Spain from Dictatorship to Democracy: Arms,Technology and Convergence

Abstract

This article explores the evolution of French–Spanish military relations during the Franco dictatorship and the first democratic governments in Spain. After examining the origins, implications and limits of the bilateral general rapprochement, we will focus on French transfers of defence technology and arms to Spain. During the Cold War, Spain was part of the western bloc and the United States of America was the main international partner of the Franco regime. Nevertheless, western European countries, led by France, started to compete with the USA in Spain's political, economic and military external relations. After more than two decades of contact amongst French and Spanish armies, governments and arms companies (mainly state-owned), the most significant results in the military field appeared at the beginning of the 1970s, still during the dictatorship, and were consolidated and expanded during the democratic transition after 1975. French offers of co-manufacturing agreements, expert training and aid for exports, as well as the Spanish wish to approach Europe to counteract US predominance, largely explain the success of French military action in Spain during this period.