GIAT Industries (formerly known as Groupement des Industries de l'Armée de Terre, Army's Industries Group) is a French government-owned weapon manufacturer. The bayonet, still used in war as both knife and spearpoint. ...

It manufactures various weapons and other hardware for the French and foreign military, including:

• the FAMAS assault rifle,
• the FRF2 sniper rifle
• the Leclerc main battle tank.
• the VAB armoured personnel carrier
• the 20mm modèle F2 gun
• the APILAS anti-tank grenade launcher
• the LG1 Mark II 105 mm towed howitzer

The group was founded in 1973 by combining the industrial assets of the technical direction of Army weapons of the French Ministry of Defense. In 1991, it was turned into a national company. The FAMAS (Fusil dAssaut de la Manufacture dArmes de St-Etienne, Assault Rifle by St-Etienne Arms Factory) is the standard assault rifle of the French military. ... A chasseur alpin shooting the FRF2. ... The Leclerc is a main battle tank built by GIAT Industries of France. ... The US M1A1 Abrams tank is a typical modern main battle tank. ... General Characteristics (VAB) Length: 5. ... The 20 mm modèle F2 gun is a naval defence weapon in usage in the French Navy. ... APILAS ready for firing APILAS (Armor-Piercing Infantry Light Arm System) is a recoilless, one-man portable, single-use anti-tank grenade launcher used by infantry troops. ... The LG1 is the Canadian version of the 105 mm Light Gun, a modern towed light howitzer. ... 1973 (MCMLXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday. ... Categories: French government | Stub ... 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Ever since it was founded, GIAT's management has been difficult. The company was operated at a loss, and a 2001 report by the Cour des Comptes described the situation as critical. Not until April of 2004 did the board of directors present the public with a financial statement showing a turn over of several hundred million Euros. This was mostly thanks to increased export sales, the modernization of the LeClerc main battle tank and several other armored platforms. The Cour des Comptes (Court of Accounts, also translated into Court of Financial Auditors) is a institution of the Government of France whose duty is to audit public institutions, as well as some private institutions. ...

References

• (French) Cour des Comptes, Les industries d'armement de l'État, chapter 3, 2001

The Cour des Comptes (Court of Accounts, also translated into Court of Financial Auditors) is a institution of the Government of France whose duty is to audit public institutions, as well as some private institutions. ...

External links

• (English) Official site