The Clairon is not without its faults, though probably the best of the bullpup rifles now fielded anywhere in the world, but even it is now into its second-generation *F2* version. But the French wisely examined the Swiss and Israeli rifles of the time, contracted with Ruger to develop a militarized *GB* Mini-14 prototype with 3-shot burst capability...and then used the best features of each in the finalized GIAT design.
But in recent years the French have had little to be ashamed about regarding the field performance of their forces, particularly the Legion and Marsouins et Bigors, as in Desert Shield/Storm/Saber in 1991. And of course during the 2 REP's rescue of hostages, including Americans, in Zaire's Kolwezi province in May of 1978, while America's Rangers sat on their butts at Hunter Airfield waiting for orders from Jimmy Carter that never came.