January 20, 2020

Updates from Pierre Tran on French and European Defense

Policies: 2019

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UPDATING EUROPEAN DEFENSE FOR THE 2020S: ESTABLISHING A EUROPEAN DEFENCE AND SECURITY COUNCIL 4

AN UPDATE ON FRANCO GERMAN PROGRAMS: UAVS, FCAS, TANKS AND A400M 7

FRENCH NAVAL GROUP AND THE GREEK NAVY: BUILDING OUT THE FDI FRIGATE 10

THE FIRST RAFALE TRANSFERRED TO THE INDIAN AIR FORCE: OCTOBER 8, 2019 13

FRANCE, GERMANY AND NEW DEFENSE PROJECTS: FRAMING THE CHALLENGE 16

DASSAULT’S PERSPECTIVE ON THE WAY AHEAD ON EUROPEAN DEFENSE PROJECTS 19

THINKING POST-BREXIT: SERCO LOOKS TO EXPAND FOOTPRINT IN THE FRENCH MARKET 22

AN AIRBUS UPDATE: FIRST HALF OF 2019 FINANCIAL RESULTS 25

THE FRENCH MINISTER OF DEFENSE LAYS OUT THE WAY AHEAD FOR FRENCH MILITARY SPACE POLICY 27

THE COMING OF THE BARRACUDA ATTACK SUBMARINE TO THE FRENCH NAVY 30

PUTTING FCAS INTO A BROADER EUROPEAN POLITICAL CONTEXT: THE EU, BREXIT AND SHAPING A WAY AHEAD 33

MBDA AND FCAS: BUILDING WEAPONS FOR THE “COMBAT CLOUD” 34

FRANCE ARMS ITS REAPERS 36

THE EVOLVING DYNAMIC MISSILE THREAT: A EUROPEAN RESPONSE 38

FINCANTIERI AND NAVAL GROUP MOVE FORWARD ON COOPERATION: THE POSEIDON PROJECT 40

THALES AND THE FUTURE COMBAT AIR SYSTEM 42

REWORKING THE FRANCO-GERMAN ARMS EXPORT POLICIES: A CRUCIAL CHALLENGE FACING FCAS 44

FRENCH NAVAL GROUP AND THE AUSTRALIANS: WORKING THE CULTURAL CHALLENGES 47 RESHAPING A WORK CULTURE 48 AUSTRALIAN BARBECUE AS CULTURAL SIGNIFIER 48 PREPARING FRENCH STAFF 49 CULTURAL PLAY OF THREE NATIONS 50 CURRENT FRENCH SUBMARINE BUILDING APPROACH 50

GERMANY’S EMBARGO ON SAUDI ARABIA AND THE LIMITS OF EUROPEAN ARMS COOPERATION (UPDATED) 52

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AN UPDATE ON THE FUTURE COMBAT AIR SYSTEMS PROGRAM: FEBRUARY 2019 54

A LOOK AT THE F-4 RAFALE UPGRADE PROGRAM 56

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Updating European Defense for the 2020s: Establishing a European Defence and Security Council 12/30/2019 Paris–FranceseekstomaintainclosetieswithBritainafterBrexitonabilateralandmultilateralbasis,withtheMacronadministrationproposingaEuropeancouncilforsecurityanddefenseasaninstitutionallink,agovernmentofficialsaid. TheDec.12thelectionresultedintheUKseeingtheConservativepartyreturnedwithacomfortable80-seatparliamentarymajority,allowingprimeministerBorisJohnsonformallytotaketheUKoutoftheEuropeanUnionattheendofJanuary. “Apagewillturn,”theFrenchofficialtoldDec.17theAnglo-AmericanPressAssociation. FranceseestheUKasavaluablepartnerandispromotingcreationofaEuropeansecurityanddefensecouncil,whichwouldworkwiththeEuropeanCouncil,ahigh-levelEUpoliticalinstitution.

“TheEuropeandefenseandsecuritycouncilisnotnecessarilyaninstrumentsolelyofthe27(EUmembers),”theofficialsaid.Thecouncilwouldserveasa“meansofstructuredexchangebetweentheEuropeanpartnersandtheUnitedKingdom.”

“Weneedtoreachagreementonthecouncil’smission,”theofficialsaid.

Theideaofsuchacouncilhasbeenacceptedandtherearetalksonprocedure.

TherearealreadyEuropeaninstitutionscoveringforeignaffairs,defenseandsecuritybutnosuchhigh-levelpoliticalinstitutiondedicatedtodefense.

TheEuropeanCouncilisthepoliticalforumforheadsofstateandheadsofgovernmentoftheEU,whichBritainwillleaveonJan.31.TheEuropeanCouncilsetsthepoliticalagenda,whiletheEuropeanCommissionactsastheexecutivearm.

FranceandGermanyhavefloatedtheideaofasecurityanddefensecouncil,whichhasbeenconsideredbythinktanks,aEuropeansourceinBrusselssaid.Thereisnotaformalproposalanditremainstobeseenhowsuchanorganizationwouldfitintotheinstitutionallandscape.

FrenchpresidentEmmanuelMacronstirredheateddebatebyevokingthe“braindeath”ofNato,inanNov.7interviewwithBritishweekly,TheEconomist,withthatcriticalstatestemmingfromalackofreliablesupportfromtheUS.

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USpresidentDonaldTrumpsaidMacron’scommentwas“very,verynasty,”whenafewweekslaterthepoliticalleadersgatheredfortheNatosummit,heldatGrovehotelonagolfcourseatWatford,northofLondon.Thatmeetingmarkedthe70thanniversaryoftheAtlanticalliance.

HowthecouncilwouldbesetupraisesquestionsastheUKwillhavelefttheEUifandwhentheinstitutionweresetup.

IfBritainwereonthecouncil,whichothernationswouldhaveaplaceatthetable,saidJean-PierreMaulny,deputydirectorofthinktankInstitutdesRelationsInternationalesetStratégique.

OnewayroundthestructuralproblemraisedbyBrexitmightbeaninformalgroup,hesaid.ThereareinformalgroupssuchBritain,FranceandGermanyspeakingasathree-strongEuropeangrouponIran.

“Perhapsitwillbeaninformalsolution,butaninstitutionalone,”hesaid.

“It’sagreatideainprinciple,”saidNickWitney,seniorresearchfellowatEuropeanCouncilforForeignRelations,athinktank.

SuchacouncilmightyieldastrategicoverviewseenasneededinEurope.

“Theneedtore-engageinserious,collectivestrategicthinking,asopposedtowaitingtobetoldwhattodobytheAmericans,maybethesinglemostimportantsteptowardsaEuropethatissignificantlymorecapableofdefendingitself,”WitneysaidinaJune25ECFRreport.

“SuchaEuropeismorelikelytosurvivethetwenty-firstcenturyasaprotagonistratherthanprey.”

TheECFRreportwastitledBuildingEuropeans’CapacitytoBuildThemselves.

MacroninaMarch4speechcalledfora“EuropeansecuritycouncilwiththeUnitedKingdomonboardtoprepareourcollectivedecisions”

Inthatdiscourse,titledForEuropeanRenewal,MacronsoughtaEuropebackedbyadefenseandsecuritytreaty“todefineourfundamentalobligationsinassociationwithNATOandourEuropeanallies.”

Macronalsocalledformoredefensespending.

Onthebilateralfront,therewillbecelebrationinNovemberofthe10thanniversaryoftheLancasterHousetreaty,theFrenchofficialsaid.

AFrenchsenatereportonarmsprocurementonNov.27calledforFrancetoputfreshenergyintheLancasterHouseaccord.

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ThatAnglo-Frenchtreatyisabilateralagreementforoperationalandindustrialcooperation,includingresearchinnuclearweapons,ajointcombinedexpeditionaryforce,andsharingtechnologyforacombatUAV.

Therearealsoplanstocelebratethe80thanniversaryofthecallbythelateFrenchpresident,CharlesdeGaulle,forFrancetofightbackagainsttheNazis.TheBBCbroadcastthatcalltoarmsfromLondononJune181940.

Ontheoperationalfront,theBritishhelpina“verysignificantway”,inthesub-SaharanSahelregion,flyingChinookheavytransporthelicopterssupportingFrenchforces.ThoseChinooksare“ofhighvalue,”theofficialsaid.

Thereismuchscopeforindustrialcooperation,theofficialsaid.

“Weareconfidentwecandeepenthecooperationindefenseandsecurity.”

AskedonwhetherBritaincouldjointheFranco-GermanprojectforaFutureCombatAirSystem,theofficialsaid,“It’sclearlyaFranco-Germanproject,witha“primepartner”and“juniorpartner”ineachsignificantpartoftheaircraft.

ThesepartnershaveFrench,German,andFrench-German-Britishlinks,theofficialsaid,addingthattherewasnoknowledgeofaBritishrequestfordirectpartnershiponFCAS.

Ontheindustrialfront,“obviouslyMBDAisanAnglo-Frenchsuccess,”theofficialsaid.

MBDAisamissilemaker,withjointownershipinBritain,FranceandGermany.

ThereisalsocloseFrenchcooperationwithGermany,withtwoflagshipindustrialprojects,namelyaNewGenerationFighterinFCASandanewtankintheMainGroundCombatSystem,andanagreementforarmsexports.

“Weareworking,andGermanyworkswithus,”theofficialsaid.

ThenewtankisakeyelementinaplannedMGCS,designedasasystemofsystemscomposedofseverallandvehicles,bothmannedandunmanned.

TheFrenchvehicleswillworkintheArmy’sScorpionmodernizationprogram,whiletheGermanvehicleswillplugintotheequivalentnationalsystem.

Ontheinstitutionalfront,theEuropeanCommissionisgearingupforastrongerpresenceindefense,withtheappointmentofThierryBreton,EuropeanCommissionerforinternalmarkets,andcreationofadirectorategeneralfordefense.

BretonisformerCEOofAtos,aFrenchtechnologycompany,andformerfinanceminister.

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TheEUissettinguptheEuropeanDefenseFundwitha2021-2027budgetof€13billiontoco-fundresearchprojectswithindustry.ThatfundispartofabidtoboostEuropeanstrategicautonomyandsovereignty.

MacronpursuesastrongEurope,whichincludesEuropeandefense.Inthepursuitofthelatter,theprojectsforFCASandtheMGCStanksystemwerelaunched.Thereisalsoaplannedmedium-altitudelong-enduranceUAV.

An Update on Franco German Programs: UAVs, FCAS, Tanks and A400M 11/02/2019Paris–ToughtalksbetweenindustryandtheFrenchandGermanauthoritiesondevelopmentcostareholdingupaprogramlaunchofamedium-altitude,long-enduranceunmannedaerialvehicle,theFrenchprocurementchiefsaid.

JoelBarre,headoftheDirectionGénéraledel’Armementprocurementoffice,gaveOct.2anupdateonthestalledUAVproject,alongwithFranco-GermaneffortstolaunchprogramsforaFutureCombatAirSystemandanewtankintheMainGroundCombatSystem.

AirbusDefenceandSpaceisprimecontractor,workingwithpartnerDassaultAviationontheplannedUAV,inaEuropeanattempttoenterakeymarketledbytheU.S.andIsrael.

“Theholduptodayliesindifferencesoverdevelopmentcost,”BarretoldthedefensecommitteeoftheFrenchsenate,accordingtominutesofthemeeting.DevelopmentisoneofthreeelementsintheprospectivecontractfortheUAV,alongwithproductionandservice.

“Ihaveeveryhopeofreachingagreementbytheendoftheyear,becausewewillnotbuildtheMALE(UAV)atanyprice.Discussionsarebeingheld,theconversationofthelastfewdaysseemtoberatherencouraging.Tosumup,Ihavesomehopebutnoguarantees.”

BerlinandPariscalledforarevisedplanfortheEuropeanMALEUAVprojectafterindustryrequestedmorethan€2billion($2.2billion),doubleaninitialestimatedbudget,LaTribunebusinesswebsitereported.

ThatfundingoverspillfromindustrycomparestoaninitialFranco-Germanbudgetof€4billionby2025fordevelopmentofanewgenerationfighterjetintheFCASproject,withFrancecontributing€2.5billion,accordingtotheFrencharmedforcesministry,Reutersreported.

ThefutureEuropeanUAVwouldbearmedandequippedforsignalsintelligence,theAirchiefofstaff,GeneralPhilippeLavigne,toldOct.10thedefensecommitteeofthelowerhouseNationalAssembly.

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TheUAVbudgetrequestreflectstwinenginesand10-tonweight,whichmakestheUAV“tooheavy,tooexpensiveandthereforedifficulttoexport,”ChristianCambon,chairmanoftheSenatedefensecommittee,saidinaJune26parliamentaryreport.ThosespecificationsreflectedGermanrequests,leadingto“obesity,”hesaid.

ThatweightcouldbecomparedtoaRafalefighterjet,whichweighssome10tonswithoutfuelandweapons,andReaperMQ-9,weighingsometwotons,withoutarmsandpayloads.

TheGermanspecificationfortwinenginesreflectsaconceptofoperationscenteredonflyingdomesticsurveillanceandavoidingacrashonaGermancity,Cambonsaid.

FortheFrenchforces,theUAVisforoverseasdeploymentinMaliandAdrardesIfoghas,amountainousrangeneartheMaliborderwithAlgeria.

TherecurringcostforserviceoftheUAVisthefactorclosesttobudgetaryagreement,Barresaid.

“Thequestionofover-specificationisnolongeranissue,”hesaid.Thetwinenginesarea“reality.”

Twoenginesincreasedweightandcost,butFranceacceptedin2017thatconfiguration,hesaid.Whatremainedtoberesolvedwasreachingagreementwithindustryoncost-efficiency.

ItalyandSpainhavesignedupfortheUAVproject.TheFrench2019-25militarybudgetlawforesees18UAVs,onthebasisofsixUAVsystems,withthreeunitspersystem.

OntheFCASproject,Cambonsaidanewfighterprogramwouldcost€25billion,whichcalledforcooperationassuchabudgetwasoutsidethereachofFranceactingonitsown.

Barresaidthereremainedtwofactorstoresolvebeforelaunchingworkonatechnologydemonstratorforthenewgenerationfighter.

“ThefirstelementisorganizingtheentryofSpainintotheprogram,”hesaid.Thatrequiredfindinga“goodcompromise”toavoidadelayintheprototypeandshouldbereachedbeforeanOct.16Franco-Germanministerialcouncilmeetingondefenseandsecurity.

TheSpanishdefenseminister,MargaritaRobles,signedJune17,theopeningdayoftheParisairshow,aframeworkagreementtobringSpainintotheFCASprogram,ledbyFranceandDassault,andpartneredwithGermanyandAirbusD&S.

Thesecond,moresensitive,elementlayinappointingSafranasprimecontractorontheengineprogram,withMTUAeroEnginesasindustrialpartner,Barresaid.

Theindustrialresponsibilitiesshouldbeclearlysetout,incontrasttotheengineontheAirbusA400Mairlifter,hesaid.TherearetalksbetweenSafranandMTUtoaccordprogramleadershiptotheformertoensurebalanceintheworkassignedtothecompanies.

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Therewouldbearesolutionfollowingtalkswiththecompaniesandbetweenthecompanies,hesaid,addingthe“highestpoliticallevel”wouldresolvethesituationifneeded.TheFrenchandGermanministerswouldmeetOct.9todiscussorganizationofengineproductionaheadofthebilateralministerialcouncilmeetingthefollowingweek,hesaid.

InFrance,theDGA,backedbythegovernment,negotiateswithindustry,andtalkstotheGermancounterpart,thejuniordefenseminister,hesaid.InGermany,industryhas“averypowerfulrole”indecision-making.

TheGermanpoliticalsideiscomplex,withthegovernmentseekingconsensusbetweenthreeorfourparties,andpowerfuloversightbytheBundestagparliament,twoFrenchdefenseexecutivessaid.OntheFrenchside,thepresidentholdspoliticalpower.

ProblemsontheTP-400engineswereamongthekeyfactorsinslowingdeliveriesoftheA400M.

Theprogramtobuildanewpowerfulturbopropenginewasbasedonworkshare,reflectingclientordersfortheaircraft.GermanyhadorderedthelargestnumberofA400M,openingthewayforGermanindustrytolearnhowtobuildcoreengineparts.

ThatledtocostlydelaysandaFrenchcommitmenttoavoidfuturelargeindustrialconsortiums.

AirbusandDassaultcalledOct.7,aheadoftheministerialcouncilmeeting,forlaunchoftheprototypefighterjet,backedby“areliablefundingplan.”

“Wecallonourpoliticalleaderstomakeeveryefforttolaunchthesedemonstratorsattheearliestopportunityinwhatwillbeakeystepinmovingthisambitiousprojectforward,”EricTrappier,CEOofDassaultandDirkHoke,CEOofAirbusDSsaidinajointstatement.

OnthebudgetfortheMGCSprojectforanewtank,thereisgovernmentagreementon50:50worksharesplitbetweenFranceandGermany,withNexterleadingtheFrenchside,andKrauss-MaffeiWegmannandRheinmetallsharingtheGermanstake,adefensesourcesaid.

ItwillbeuptothetwoGermanpartnerstonegotiatetheirrespectivesharesoftheprogram,withanequalsplitseenastheideal,thesourcesaid.

Therewillalsobeninesub-projectsforasystemarchitecturestudy,witheachofthethreepartnerstakingleadershipofthreesubprojects,thesourcesaid.

Thatarchitecturestudywillbeginearlynextyearandwilllaunchatechnologydemonstratorforthetank,theElyséepresident’sofficesaidontheOct.16meetingoftheFranco-Germandefenseandsecuritycouncil.ThatmeetingwasheldinToulouse,southwesternFrance.

ThetankprojectwillbeopentootherEuropeannations,theElyséeofficesaid.ParisandBerlinwouldalso“examinestepsforafurtherconsolidationandevolutionoftheirlandsystemsindustries.”

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French Naval Group and the Greek Navy: Building out the FDI Frigate 10/27/2019LORIENT,France–TheGreeknavychiefofstaffwasforeignguestofhonorattheOct.24ceremonyoffirstcuttingofsteelforthefrigatefordefenseandintervention(FDI),signalingNavalGroup’saimtohelpcloseasaleofthenewFrenchwarship.

AdmiralNikolaosTsounissatinthefrontrow,alongwithhisFrenchcounterpartAdmiralChristophePrazuckandarmedforcesministerFlorenceParly,asexecutivechairmanHervéGuillouwelcomedguestsatthecompanyshipyardinnorthwestFrance.

TheGreekdefenseminister,NikosPanagiotopoulos,andParlysignedanon-bindingletterofintentionforprocurementoftwoFDIwarships,theFrenchministertweetedOct.10.

FrancelaunchedtheFDIprogram,worth€3.8billion($4.2billion),inApril2017,consistingoffivefrigatesfortheFrenchnavy.Thatwarship,underthebrandnameofBelharra,willbevitaltoFrencheffortstowinexportsales.

Adeterminationtohelpthegovernment-to-governmentnegotiationscouldbeseeninGuillou’sendinghisspeechinGreek,andNavalGroupflyingtheGreekflagalongwithflagsforFrance,theEuropeanUnionandthecompany.

NavalGroupprovidedtransportandaccommodationforthepresstrip,whichincludedfourGreekreporters,ofwhichthreewerefortelevisionandoneforaweeklymagazine.

Guillouwelcomedtheforeignguests,whichincludedtheNewZealandambassador,andthePolishdefenseattachéanddeputydefenseattaché,pointinguptheprioritysetonexportdealsinatoughworldmarket.

Therearepotentialsalesofatleast40intermediatefrigatesaroundtheworld,aseniorNavalGroupexecutivesaidin2016.

GuillouwasinNewZealandOct.10and11aschairmanoftheFrance-Australiabusinesscouncil,partoftheinternationalofficeofMedef,theFrenchbusinesslobbygroup.Guillouwasco-leaderwithThierryMallet,CEOofTransdevonthattrip,whichincludedAustralia.

Transdevisatransportcompany,

TheinternationaldepartmentoftheDirectionGénéraledel’Armement(DGA)procurementofficeisleadingthenegotiations,whichincludeaGreekrequestforarmingthe4,500-tonwarshipwith16cruisemissiles.

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DGAchiefJoelBarrewasattheceremony,inwhichParlystartedtheautomatedcuttingequipment,whichproducedtheoutlineofFDI.ParlyandGuillouwentontosignthecutout.

TheDGAprogramdirectorforFDI,Gregory,declinedOct.23tocommentonwhetherthecontractforthefirstFDIwasworth€2billion,asreportedbybusinesswebsiteLaTribune.

TheGreeknavy’srequirementsareexpectedtoleadtoaunitpriceof€750-€800million,dependingonthechoiceofarmsandequipment.

Athenswouldmarkastepupintheinternationalarmsarenaifthedealweresealed.

“Thisisapoliticaldecision,asanavalcruisemissileisastrategicweaponwithdeepstrikecapability,”saidEtienneDaum,managerforaeronautics,defenseandsecurityatthink-tankCEIS.SailinganFDIwouldalsoboosttheGreekcapabilitywithinNato,headded.

AnavalcruisemissilewouldaddtotheGreekairforceScalpcruisemissileflownonitsMirage2000-5fighterjet.

ThefirstFDIisduetobedeliveredtotheFrenchnavyin2023,withthelastby2030.IfAthensandParisweretoreachagreement,Greecewouldreceivethesecondship,whiletheFrenchnavywouldreceivethethird,andthesecondGreekshipwouldbethefourthbuilt.TwoFDIshipsareduetobedeliveredby2025.

GreecehaslongsoughtaheavilyarmedFrenchfrigate,withtheGreeknavypreviouslyseekingtheFremmmultimissionfrigatewithcruisemissilesbefore2008.ButthefinancialcrisisinthatyearforcedAthenstoputaholdonapurchaseasdeepspendingcutswereimposedonthefrailGreekeconomy.

ForPoland,thereistheSwordfishprogram,withrequirementforahighlycapablefrigatearmedwithacruisemissile,thePolandInwebsitereported

“TheFrenchnavyalsoneedstheFDI,whichisamorecapableshipthantheLafayettefrigate,asthereisrisingthreatandproliferationofweapons,”Daumsaid.

Theshipisdesignedforanti-submarine,anti-airandanti-shipoperations,capabletomakeupathirdofthe15-strongFrenchfleetoffirst-rankwarships.Thatfleetincludeseight6,000-tonFremmmultimissionfrigates,ofwhichtwoareairdefenseversions,andtwoHorizonairdefensefrigates.

Thecontractforthefirstship–tobechristenedAmiralRonarc’h–includesresearchanddevelopmentaswellasconstruction.Thatship,effectivelytheprototype,willincludeadigitalopenarchitecture,twodatacenters,andThalesSeaFire500,afixed-panelradar.

TherewillbeanexpandedversionoftheSetiscombatmanagementsystemtoweavetogetherthevariousonboardsubsystems,aworkstationforcybersecurity,andcapacitytofightoffasymmetricattacksbyfastsmallvessels.

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Therehasbeenworkonanonboardworkstationtogiveamorecompletetacticalpictureandsharethatwithothervessels.Thenavalcooperativesurveillancesystem,whichhasbeentestedontheCharlesdeGaulleaircraftcarrier,HorizonandFremmfrigates,willbefittedonthefirstFDI.

FortheFrenchnavy,themainweaponswillbeMBDAAster15and30anti-airmissiles,Exocetanti-shipmissile,Leonardo76mmcanon,MU90lighttorpedoes,andtworemotecontrolNarwhale20mmcanons.Lightweaponssuchas12.7mmand7.62mmmachinegunscouldbeusedforattacksfromsmallvessels.

MBDAisworkingonanewlaunchsystemtoaccommodatebothA-50AsterandA-70navalcruisemissile.ThereisnocruisemissilefortheFrenchnavyFDI.

Thereisdeckspaceforan11-tonhelicoptersuchasNH90anda700-tonhelicopterdrone.For360°low-lightvisualcoverage,therewillbebanksofBertincamerasonthesinglemast,andtwoSafranPaseoelectro-opticalinfraredsights.

OtherequipmentincludesaThaleshull-mountedKingKlipMk2sonarandCaptas4towedsonararray.MTUwillsupplythedieselengine,expectedtodeliverspeedof27knots.

Therewilla125-strongcrew,comprising111sailorsand14fortheaircraft.

TheDGA,navyandNavalGroup,theprimecontractorandsystemsintegrator,areworkingoncollaborativedesignoftheFDIonanenhancedversionoftheCatiacomputersystem.

TheFDIfrigatehasgrowninweight.WhenFranceunveiledareducedscalemodelatthe2016Euronavaltradeshow,theshiphadbeenexpectedtoweigh4,250tonsratherthanthepresent4,500ton.

NavalGrouphasinvested€27millionintheLorientshipyard,Guillousaid.

TheshipyardisworkingontheAlsace,thefirstofthetwoFremmairdefenseversions,andhascapacityforbuildingfourwarshipsatthesametime.Theyardisworkingtocutthebuildtime,withtheFremmnowtaking42monthsafter72monthsforthefirstvessel.

ThefirstFDIisscheduledtotake38months,andatargetof30monthshasbeensetforlaterunits.

“Itiscloseto€12billionwhichwillbeinvestedinnavalcombat,anti-submarinewarfareandattacksubmarines,”Parlysaidatthesteelcuttingceremony.

“Thismilitarybudgetlaweffectivelypreparesthefutureforournavy.”

Parlywasreferringtothefundssetasideforthenavyinthe2019-2025militarybudgetlaw,whichrequiresannualconfirmationbythefinanceministry.

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The First Rafale Transferred to the Indian Air Force: October 8, 2019 10/08/2019Paris–DassaultAviationplayedthehostforanOct.8ceremonyforhandoverofthefirstRafalefighterjettoIndia,signalingaclosemilitaryandindustrialtieFranceseekstodeepenamidststiffcompetitionfromIsrael,RussiaandtheU.S.

ThepresenceofIndiandefenseministerRajnathSinghandhisFrenchcounterpart,FlorenceParly,pointedupthepoliticalsignificanceofthedeal,worthsome€7.9billion($8.7billion).ThetwoministerswereduetoholdintheeveningabilateralmeetingandworkingdinneratBrienneHouse,theministerialofficeinthecapital.

IndiawasoneofFrance’s“principlestrategicpartners,”ascouldbeseenbySingh’sattendingthedelivery,theFrencharmedforcesministrysaidinanOct.8statement.TheFrenchandIndiandefenseministerswoulddiscussbilateralcooperationandsecurityintheIndo-Pacificregion.

ThefirstRafalewasdeliveredlastmonth,buttheministersflyingdowntoDassault’splantatMerignac,nearBordeaux,pointupthepoliticalcapitalinvestedintheRafaledeal.

Thatformaleventwillbeheldjust10daysaheadofDiwali,afive-dayHindufestival,whenlamps,lanternsandcandlesarelittomarkvictoryoflightoverdarkness,goodoverevil.IndiawillbeguestnationwhenFranceholdsitsbookfestivalnextMarch.

“Thisisveryimportant,”saidTaraVarma,policyfellowandheadoftheParisofficeofEuropeanCouncilforForeignRelations,athink-tank.Thehandoveristhe“concreterealization”ofadealwhichtookyearstoseal,afterIndiaswitchedin2016toadirectorderfor36Rafaleanddroppingacquisitionof126fightersafterholdingatenderformediummulti-rolecombataircraft(MMRCA).

TherehavebeenallegationsofcorruptionontheRafaledeal,whichIndiaandDassaulthavedenied.

FranceisintalkstosellmoreRafalestoIndia,lookingtoanannouncementtobemadeinJanuarywhenFrenchpresidentEmmanuelMacronvisitsIndia,businesswebsiteLaTribunereportedOct.7.

Macron’svisitwillbehissecondtriptoIndiainthreeyears,pointingupthesignificanceoftiestoNewDelhi,Varmasaid.

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ThatpresidentialvisitmayreflectFrenchhopesbutitisnotcleartheIndianairforcewillmeetthatexpectation,shesaid.Indiaaddedlastyearafurther€5.6billiontothedefensebudget,reflectingtheneedforanti-submarinewarfareandcombathelicopters,aswellasmorefighterjets,

TheIndiannavyseekstoacquire57carrier-basedfighters,whiletheairforceseeksafurther110fighters.

FrancewantstobeclosetoIndia,whileNewDelhihedgesitsbetsbybuyingarmsfromIsrael,RussiaandtheU.S.

IsraelisactiveinIndiaandwillsupplyequipment,includingmissiles,Varmasaid.TheIndianairforcewillbearmedwithotherweaponsbesidestheScalpcruiseandMeteorlong-rangemissile,shesaid.

RussiahassuppliedMiGandSukhoifighterstoIndiaandhassignedadealforitsS-400surface-to-airmissile.

TheU.S.hasshippedP-8maritimepatrolaircraft,andApacheattackandChinooktransporthelicopterstoequiptheIndiaservices.

TheRafalewillbefittedforflyingnuclearweapons,IndianbusinessdailyEconomicTimeshasreported.

ThedeliveryoftheRafalecomesafterPakistanshootingdowninFebruaryanIndianF-16andcapturingthepilot.ThereleaseandhandoveroftheIndianpilothelpedcalmsomeofthetensionbetweenthetwonationslonglockedinregionaldispute.

ThatarmedclashraisedPakistantothesamehighlevelofthreattoIndiapreviouslyheldbyChina,Varmasaid.

IndiaandFrancefostercloserelations,includingculturalties.MacronmetModiinAugustatprestige-ladenChantillycastleforbilateraltalksjustaheadoftheG-7summit,towhichtheFrenchpresidenthadinvitedtheIndianpoliticalleader.

Thosemovessignala“strategicpartnership”of21years,anIndianofficialsaid.

Dassaulthasgiven“significantsupport”toIndia’seducationandsciencepolicybysettingupanengineeringcenter,aDassaultskillacademy,andavocationaltrainingprogramdubbedAeronauticalStructureandEquipmentFitter,thecompanysaidinastatement.

DassaulthasalsosetupanassemblyplantatNagpur,centralIndia,withitsIndianjointventurepartnerReliance.ThatsitewillbuildpartsfortheDassaultFalconbusinessjetandcouldallowfinalassemblyfortheRafale,ifadealwerestruck.

ThoseinvestmentsarepartoftheoffsetdealsrequiredbytheMakeinIndiaandSkillIndiaprogramssetbyNewDelhi,seekingtoboostthedomesticeconomy.

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IndiaisamajormarketforweaponsfromthewestandRussia.

TheIndiannavalmarketcontinuestogrow,asthere-electionofModiinMayledtoearlystepsofacompetitionforsixmorediesel-electricboats,withchallengingrequirements.

FrenchshipbuilderNavalGrouphasrepliedtoIndia’sexpressionofinterestinselectingaStrategicPartnertobuildsixmoresubmarinesundertheProject-75(I)project.

NavalGroupsoldsixScorpenesubmarinesin2005inadealreportedtobeworth$3.5billion.

TheFrenchcompanyfileda“fullycompliantandadaptedresponse,”SoumyajyotiBasu,NavalGroup’scountrysalesdirectorforIndia,saidOct.2.IndianshipyardshavealsosubmittedresponsetotheexpressionofinteresttobealocalStrategicPartner.

IndiahassetrequirementsforastealthysubmarinelargerthantheScorpene,capableoflandattackmissiles,andextensivetechnologytransferforlocalassembly,hesaid.

TheIndiangovernmentsaidinaJune20statementthenavywouldhaveanoptionforsixmoresubmarinesundertheP-75(I)project.

IndiawilllikelyattractbidsfromGermany,SouthKorea,SpainandRussia,alongwiththeFrenchoffer.TheIndiandefenseministryandnavywillreviewthesubmissions,drawupashortlistandsendoutaRequestforProposal.

NavalGroupwillpitchitsF-21weaponinanIndiantenderfor98heavytorpedoes,withacompetitionexpectedtobelaunchedbytheendoftheyear.

Theshipbuilderisalsoofferingextensiveservicepackages.

TheIndianNavycommissionedSept.28itssecondScorpeneclasssubmarine,theKhanderi,whichfollowsthefirstofclassKalveri,commissionedinDecember2017.

TheKalveriwasdeliveredlate,reflectingtheneedtoregainexpertiseafteradecade-longgapinbuildingsubmarines.Therewasalsotardysupplyofsubsystemsandsteel.

DeliveryoftheremainingfourScorpeneboatsisexpectedtobeeverynineto12monthsasfromlastmonth.TheIndiannavywillsetthedateforformaldeliveryandcommissioning,asmuchdependsonthemonsoon,whichhitsthegulfoffMumbaiontheArabiansea.

IndiaflieseightPoseidonP-8anti-submarinewarfareaircraftandorderedin2016fourmoreunits.Anacquisitionofafurther10unitshasbeenapproved.

EuropeanmissilemakerMBDAwillsupplymissilesfortheIndianRafaleandMirage2000Hfighterjets,inadealworth€710million.

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TheRafalewillbearmedwithMicaair-to-air,ScalpcruiseandMeteorlong-range,air-to-airmissiles.TheMicawillalsoarmtheupgradedMirage.

TheIndianjointventurebetweenMBDAandLarsen&Toubrowillbuildthosemissiles.

“TheMBDAmissilewarningsystemisbasedonaninfrareddetectorfromLynred,”saidDavidBillon-Lanfrey,strategydirectoratthespecialistininfraredtechnology.

IntheIndiandriveforlocaloffset,theEuropeanmissilebuildersignedSept.12amemorandumofunderstandingwithBharatDynamicsLtd,withtheIndianpartnertakingupfinalassembly,integrationandtestoftheMistralandanadvancedshort-range,air-to-airmissile.Thelatter,dubbednewgenerationclosecombatmissile,willarmtheJaguarfighter.

HindustanAeronauticsLtdwillintegratetheMistralontheDhruvhelicopterandthelightcombathelicopter.

Inlandweapons,anIsraelicompany,Elbit,anditslocalpartnerBharatwonacontractestimatedtobeworthmorethan$1billionintheTrajanprojectfortowedartillery,beatingarivalofferfromNexter,aFrenchfirm.

NexterawaitslaunchofacompetitionforIndia’smountedgunsystem,arequirementsetin2010.TheFrenchstate-ownedcompanyhasteamedwithAshokLeylandtopitchitsCaesartruck-mounted155mm/52caliberartilleryforthatprospectivetender.

India’smilitaryacquisitionispartofitsdrivetofosterdomesticindustry.

“Theoverallaimwouldbetoprogressivelybuildindigenouscapabilitiesintheprivatesectortodesign,developandmanufacturecomplexweaponsystemsforthefutureneedsoftheArmedForces,”theIndiangovernmentsaidJune20.

“Thiswillbeanimportantsteptowardsmeetingbroadernationalobjectives,encouragingselfrelianceandaligningthedefensesectorwiththe‘MakeinIndia’initiativeofthegovernment.”

France, Germany and New Defense Projects: Framing the Challenge 09/18/2019 BOURGES/AVORDAIRBASE,France

FranceandGermanyneedtoresolvepolitical,industrialandoperationaldifferenceshangingoverprojectsforanewfighterjetandanewtank,aFrenchsenatorsaidSept.13.

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ANewGenerationFighteriskeytotheplannedFutureCombatAirSystem,backedbyFrance,GermanyandSpain,whileBerlinandParisarealsolookingtodevelopandbuildanewtankintheMainGroundCombatSystem.

Frenchparliamentarians,chiefsofstaffandtopindustryexecutivesataplenarysessionofaSept.12-13conferenceheardasummaryofproblemshangingoverthetwoarmsprojectsseenascornerstonesforfutureEuropeandefense.

Theconference,dubbedsummerdefenseuniversity,wasorganizedbyCEIS,aconsultancy,andbackedbyDassaultAviation.TheeventwasheldatBourgesandAvordairbase,centralFrance.

TheconferenceisrunonChathamHousereportingruleswhichaskforanonymityofspeakers.

“Today,thereisconcernoverFCAS,”saidthesenator,pointingoutthatFrancewantstopursue“operationalcapabilities,”whileGermanyseeksindustrialcontentforitscompaniesinadriveforeconomicgain.

ThereisalsoaGermancallforcloseparliamentaryoversightoftheFCASprogramthroughareleaseoffundinginsmalltranches.FranceleadsonFCAS,withDassaultAviationasprimecontractor,whileGermanysteerstheMGCStankprojectandaplannedEuropeanmedium-altitude,long-enduranceunmannedaerialvehicle.

FCASandMGCSmaybeseparateprojectsbuttheyhavebecomecloselyrelated,asGermanparliamentarianshavelinkedsupervisoryapprovalofonetotheother.

ProgressonFCASdependsonBerlinfindingworktobeassignedtoRheinmetallinGermany’s50percentinMGCS,thesenatorsaid.AUSpensionfundholdsalargestakeinRheinmetall,thesenatoradded.

TheassumptionhadbeenfamilyownedKrauss-MaffeiWegmannwouldholdtheGermanstakeinMGCS,withstate-ownedNexterholdingtheFrench50percent.

TalksarestillgoingonforhowtoshareouttheworkbetweenKMWandRheinmetall,anditcannotbeassumedtherewillbea25percentstakeforeachcompany,aEuropeanofficialsaidonthesidelinesoftheconference.

Rheinmetallsuppliestheturret,whileKMWworksonthechassisontheLeopard2heavytank.

AseniorFrenchexecutive,alsospeakingonthesidelines,madeitclearitwasonly“certainparliamentarians”whichwereholdingupFCASratherthanthefullGermanBundestagparliament.

AnoperationalissuetoberesolvedishowthenewfighterjetwillbeabletocarrytheFrenchnuclearmissileandNatoatomicbomb,astheGermanairforcefliesthelatter,suppliedbytheUS,thesenatorsaid.

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AfurtherconcernisneedforanagreementbetweenBerlinandParisonarmsexports,asFCASwillneedforeignsalestohelpfunditsprogram,thesenatorsaid.

Anexportagreementwillsoonbereached,aseniorFrenchofficialsaidattheplenarysession,decliningfurthercomment.

PresidentEmmanuelMacronandchancellorAngelaMerkelreachedanagreementattheG-7summitatBiarritzonFranco-Germanarmsexportpolicy,withBerlinforegoingarightofapprovaliftherewerelessthan20percentofGermancontentinvalueinaFrenchweaponbeingsoldabroad,afternoondailyLeMondereported.

FrancewantedalowerlevelofGermancontent,asthatwouldhavegivenParismorelatitudeinpitchingFrencharmsinoverseasmarkets.

That20percentthresholdalsoappliedforFrenchoversightofGermanarmsexports.

“Whenthereisabigdeal,likeafighterjet,ithastobediscussed,”saidFrançoisLureauofEuroFLconsult.“Thereshouldberules,butitishardtogeneralizeandforeseethesituationin30year’stime,”headded.

Thereshouldbediscussionandcompromise,hesaid,addingthattheDebré-Schmidtagreementonforeignarmssaleshadneverbeenobserved.ThatwasaFranco-Germanpactdatingbacktothe1970s.

Lureauisaformerprocurementchief.

ThearmsexportdealwasincludedinaFranco-GermantreatysignedJan.22atAix-la-Chapelle,magazineDerSpeigelreportedFeb.15.

FrenchexecutivespointupatardinessofGermandeliveryofcomponents,seenasabidtoslowsalesofFrenchweapons.FranceandGermanycompeteintheworldarmsmarket.

TherewasadeafeningsilenceattheconferenceontheUK’spursuitofitsTempestproject,despitetheSept.11announcementBritishcompanieshadsignedastatementofintentwithItalianpartnersoncooperationforanewfighter.

TheseniorFrenchofficial,however,didpredicttherewouldbecooperationwiththeBritishonthenewfighterprograms.

ItmadenosensetohavetwonewEuropeanfighterprogramsanditwaslikelytherewouldbeamergingoftheprojects,aBritishexecutivesaid.

BAESystems,Rolls-Royce,andtheBritishunitsofLeonardoandMBDAsignedstatementsofintentwithAvioAero,Elettronica,LeonardoandMBDAinItalytoworkona“conceptandpartnership

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model,”seekingtoshareknowledge,productdefinitionandtechnologydevelopmentfordevelopmentofafuturecombatairsystem

ThatindustrialagreementfollowedItalyandtheUKcommittingtoworktogethercloselyoncombataircapabilitiesincludingTyphoon,F-35andTempest.

TherewasnosurpriseItalyteamedupwiththeUKasbothnationsoperatetheF-35,aFrenchexecutivesaid.ItremainedtobeseenwhethertherewouldbefundsforTempestinviewoftheacquisitionofF-35.

ItalyhadshownnointerestinjoiningFCAS,andthereisdoubtwhetherRomehadsufficientfunds,aFrenchofficersaidonthesidelinesoftheconference.

OntheproposalfortheEuropeanMALEUAV,thereisavastdifferencebetweenindustry’sofferandwhatthegovernmentsarewillingtopay,theofficersaid.

ArmedforcesministerFlorenceParlysaidinherJune17speechattheParisairshowthatindustryneededtocutthepriceoftheUAV.

“Isaytothem—andthecompaniesknowit—thatthisprogramwillnotgetoffthegroundunlessthedronetheyareproposingiscompetitive,”shesaid.

Thatpricingwasnotjustforthelaunchnations—France,Germany,ItalyandSpain—butprospectiveexportclients,shesaid.Anintensivenegotiationwasopeningup,whichshehopedwouldleadtoannouncementofalaunchcontractthisyear.

AirbusandDassaultareindustrialpartners,withtheformerintheleadontheUAV.

TheFrenchairforcestagedanextensiveflyingdisplayofRafalefighter,A400MtransportplaneandPumahelicopterattheairbaseontheopeningday.Therewasadisplayofgroundtroopsattackinginsurgents,supportedbyalowpassbyRafaleandhelicopterevacuationofawoundedsoldier.

Ontheground,therewasdisplayofarmoredvehiclesincludingJaguartroopcarrier,highmobilityvehicle,AMX10RCfightingvehicleandLeclerctank.TheairbasesupportsthefleetofAwacsspyplane.

Inavasthanger,alongsideanAwacsplane,thereweremanystandsshowingmilitaryprogramsandequipment.

Parlyattendedtheconference.

Dassault’s Perspective on the Way Ahead on European Defense Projects

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09/06/2019

EuropeanindustryneedsmuchpatienceaskeynationshaveyettoagreeonrequirementsandbudgetsforaplannedFutureCombatAirSystem(FCAS)andamedium-altitude,long-endurancedrone,DassaultAviationCEOEricTrappiersaidSept4.

France,GermanyandSpainhaveyettosigncontractsfortechnologydemonstratorsforthetheNewGenerationFighter(NGF),akeyelementinFCASwhichincludesremotecarrierdronesandacommandandcontrolnetwork.

“Weareveryimpatient,”Trappiertoldapressconferenceonthecompany’sfirsthalffinancialresults.ThepartnernationsneedtoagreeonspecificationsandbudgetsfortheFCAS,inwhichtheindustrialpartnershaveagreedtheirrespectiveroles,headded.

“Weareready,”hesaid.“Wesubmittedouroffer.”

TherehadbeenhopesforacontracttobeannouncedattheParisairshow,whichranJune17-23,withprospectsslippingtoSeptemberandtheendoftheyear,hesaid.Engineersarekeentoworkonaprototyperatherthanproposals,andneedtodeveloptheirskills.

Aprototypeisduetoflyin2026,sotheprogramneedstobelaunched,hesaid.Trappierdeclinedtogivedetailsofthebudget.

FranceandGermanyplantoinvestaninitial€4billion($4.4billion)inthenewfighterjetby2025,with€2.5billionfromParis,SkyNewsreportedJune17.

FranceisleadnationontheFCASproject,withDassaultprimecontractorforthenewfighter,whichwillreplacetheFrenchRafale,GermanTyphoonandSpanishF-18.

ItwasimportantforFCASandaplanforanewFranco-Germantanktobekeptentirelyseparate,Trappiersaid,addingDassaultisworkingwithAirbusontheformer.

“Wewouldreallylikethetwosubjectstobefirmlykeptapart,”hesaid.

TrappierhaspreviouslyexpressedconcernoverapotentialspilloverofarowoverGermanindustrialleadershiponthetankproject,dubbedMainGroundCombatSystem(MGCS).

“Progressisdifficult,”hetoldMay22parliamentariansofthedefensecommitteeofthelowerhouseNationalAssembly.

AirbusandDassaultareworkingontheFCASaeronauticalproject,whileRheinmetallisthenewentrantinthetankdeal,inwhichKMWandNexterarepartners,hesaid.

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Rheinmetallobjectstoaproposed25percentshareinthetankproject,equaltothestakeforKrauss-MaffeiWegmann,withtheformerseekingagreaterrole,financialwebsiteLaTribunereportedMay15.

TheFrenchandGermanauthoritiesproposedthe25/25percentshareforRheinmetallandKMWforGermany,withNexterholding50percentforFrance.

Trappierpointeduptoparliamentarians“theslightlysymmetricalnatureoftheFCASprojectandtheMainGroundCombatSystemintermsoforganization,”adding“thedifficultiesofonecouldflowintotheotherasthesametwoprocurementofficesareinvolved.”

TheFrenchprocurementoffice,DirectionGénéraledel’Armement,representsFranceinnegotiationswithGermany,wheretheparliamenthasastrongsupervisoryrole.

Alongsidethenewtank,FranceandGermanyarealsopursingplannednewartillery,dubbedCommonIndirectFireSystem(CIFS).

Meanwhile,Airbus,DassaultandLeonardo,arealsowaitingforcontractsontheproposedEuropeanMALEUAV.ThosearethethreekeycompaniesontheprojectbackedbyFrance,Germany,ItalyandSpain.

Occar,theEuropeanprocurementoffice,wouldmanagethatprogramifthefourpartnernationsreachagreementonrequirementandbudget.

“Youhavetoberesilient;youhavetobepatientonalargedefenseprogram,”evenmoresowhenthereiscooperationwithseveralcountriesandothercompanies,hesaid,addingthattheMALEUAVprojectwillapplyforfinancialbackingfromtheEuropeanDefenseFund.Trappierexpressedconfidencetheprojectwouldwinthecontract.

AirbusisprimecontractorontheEuropeanMALEUAV.

GermanyisleadpartneronthetankandEuropeanUAVcooperativeprojects,whileFranceleadsonFCAS.TheseprojectsarepartofthepursuitofEuropeandefenseasevokedbyFrenchpresidentEmmanuelMacron.

Inexports,Dassaultwilldeliverthefirstof36RafaletoIndiathismonth,Trappiersaid.NowtheelectionsareoverinIndia,talkswillresumeforfurthersalesofthefighter.

TheIndianairforceiskeentoacquireafurther110fighters,whilethenavyseeks57,financialdailyLesEchosreportedJuly22.MacroninvitedIndianPrimeMinisterNarendraModitodinneradaybeforetheopeningoftheG7summit,heldAug.24-26atBiarritz,southwestFrance.

DassaultcontinuestotakepartinfightercompetitionsheldbyFinlandandSwitzerland,Trappiersaid,addingthathewassurprisedittooksolongforAirbustopulloutoftheCanadiancompetitionfor88fighters.

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Dassaultdroppedoutofthattenderlastyear,asthetermswereseenasunreasonable,particularlysecurityrequirementssetbytheNorthAmericanAerospaceDefenseCommand(NORAD),hesaid.

Onthenewgenerationfighter,TrappiercalledforBerlinandParistoagreeontermsforexportcontrolsasforeignsaleswouldbeneededtosupporttheprogram.

AskedaboutBritainbuildingitsTempestfighterandcompetingwiththeFranco-Germancombatjet,hesaid.“Itisbettertohavetwothannothing.”

Frenchofficialsseethatindustrialcapabilityasunderpinningastrategicautonomyandnationalsovereignty.

The2010LancasterHousedefensetreatybetweenFranceandtheUKwillweathertheplannedBrexitmove,ascooperationwillcontinue,hesaid.Britain’spullingoutofcooperationonatechnologydemonstratorforanunmannedcombataerialvehicle(UCAV)mayhavebeenforanumberofreasons,suchasBrexitorbudgetaryconstraint,hesaid.

Franceisexpectedtoplaceanorderfor10Falconjets,comprisingthreeFalcon8X,dubbedArcangel,forelectronicwarfare,andsevenFalcon2000LS,dubbedAlbatros,formaritimepatrol.Theformerwillreplaceanagingtwo-strongfleetofC-160Gabriel.

Dassaultreportedadjustednetprofitof€286millioninthefirsthalf,up54percentfromayearago.Netsalesroseto€3.1billionfrom€1.71billion.

Ordersroseto€2.9billionfrom€2.8billion,helpedbya10-yearservicecontractwithFranceontheRafale,basedonDassault’sactingassingleprimecontractorformaintenanceofequipment,exceptforenginesandejectorseats.

Adjustedoperatingincomeroseto€250millionfrom€111million.Theorderbookeasedto€19.2billionfrom€19.4billion.

Thecashholdingslippedto€4.8billionfrom€5.2billion,withthecompanyforecastingafurtherfallduetospendingonexportRafales,developmentoftwoFalconjetprogramsandnewbuildingsaspartofamodernizationplan.

KMWhaspartneredwithNexterinaFranco-Germanjointventure,KNDS,whichhadbeenassignedasprimecontractorforthenewtank.NexterisaFrenchstate-ownedmakeroflandweapons,includingtheLeclerctankandCaesarartillery.

Thinking Post-Brexit: Serco Looks to Expand Footprint in the French Market 08/04/2019

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Paris–SercoisseekingtobreakintotheFrenchdefensemarketwithoffersofsupportservicestomilitarycommanders,partoftheBritishcompany’sbidtotriplesalesinContinentalEuropeinthenextfouryears,twodirectorssaid.

ThatdrivetowinFrenchoutsourcingdealsfollowsawininSeptemberofaBelgian10-yearcontractworth€40million($44.4million)forfacilitiesmanagementofHeverleeandMeerdaalarmybases,atLeuvennearBrussels.Thereare31morebases,seenasscopeforfurthercontracts.

Theconceptofsupportservicestartswithawardingacontractforacompanytomaintainbuildings,takingcareofmundanetaskssuchascatering,supplyingbedlinen,andmowingthelawn,allowingcommanderstoreleasepersonnelformilitaryduties.

“Theycanfocusonsoldiersbeingsoldiers,”saidMarkVarney,SercodefensebusinessdevelopmentdirectorforEurope.

ApursuitofoutsourcingdealscomesaspresidentEmmanuelMacron,leadingacenter-rightadministration,seekstoprivatizestate-ownedcompaniesandliberalizethemarket.Thatincludesaplantosellallorpartofthegovernment’s50.6percentstakeinADP,anairportoperator.Thatprospectivedealhassparkedstrongpoliticalprotestandcallforareferendum.

“Franceisoneofthemostun-privatizedmarkets,alongwithGermany,”saidSashTusa,analystatwithequityresearchfirmAgencyPartners.“TheUKhasoutsourcedmorethananyothercountry,exceptfortheUS,andthatcutsthecostbase.”

Varneyislookingtopitchtheofferoffacilitiesmanagement(FM)andothersupportservicestoFrenchcommandersandprocurementofficials.

Beyondmanagingmilitarybases,Serco’scoreoffersaremaintenancerepairsfornavalfleetsandrunningtrainingacademies,hesaid.Intheformer,thecompanyrunsdockyardsatPortsmouth,southernEngland,andClydebankinScotland.ThecompanymanagesAustralian,BritishandQataritrainingacademies.

Varney,whoreliesonintroductionsthroughtheBritishembassy,attendedathoughtfulpresentationofpaintingsandsketchesbyArabellaDorman,awarartist,attheambassador’sofficialresidenceonJuly9.

TheBritishexecutiveisalsoworkingthroughtheUKdepartmentofinternationaltrade,asheseekshighlevelaccesstoproposeservicesupportfromtheprivatesector.

Thatisa“matureapproach”intheUK,USandAustralia,hesaid.Belgium’soptingforanoutsourcingdealcouldserveasamodelforpresentationsinFrance.Thecompanycouldtailoritssupporttothesome44basesinFrance,includingtheEcoleMilitaire,whichhousesthewarcollege,andhasstablesandswimmingpooltomaintain,hesaid.

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SercocompeteswithBabcock,aBritishrival,whichwonin2016acontracttosupportaFrenchairforceprogram,dubbedFOMEDEC,totrainfighterpilots.Babcocksupplied17PC-21single-enginetrainersandteamedupwithDassaultAviationonthatlandmarkdeal.

“Flyingtrainingisnotabouttheplatform,butthecompletetrainingsystem,}Tusasaid.“BabcockandtheFrenchairforce,totheircredit,confirmedthat.”

Serco’splantotriplesalesontheContinentisbasedongrowthandacquisition,withanoptionofbuyingasmallormediumcompanytoboostlocalcontactwithdefenseministries,saidGaetanDesclée,managingdirectorforEurope.

“Doweneedtomakeanacquisition?”hesaid.“Withourknowledge,practices,resource,wecanhelpthemdevelopmuchfasterandaccesstobiggermarket.Weactasaglobalcompanyandweareconvincedthatweneedtohavelocalrootsineverycountry,developingourservices.”

Sercoseesitselfasaglobalcompany,listedontheLondonstockexchangewithinternationalshareholders,whileactinglocally,hesaid.

Thecompanyhasbeenonanacquisitivestreak,havingboughtaUScompanyspecializinginnavalsystemsandmadeanunsolicitedofferforBabcock,whichwasrejected.

“Theyweretryingiton,”Tusasaid,referringtotheBabcockbid.

Thatpursuitofacquisitionmayreflectthecompany’seffortstocounteraslowdowninthecoreBritishmarket,whichaccountedin2018forsome40percentofSerco’ssales.

Thedefensesectoraccountsfor€1.1billion,some30percentofofannualsales.

ThecompanystrikeslocalpartnershipswithcompaniesincludingLockheedMartin,Airbus,Thales,Dassault,Engie,andAirLiquidto”customizesolutions,”Descléesaid.SercoteamedwithAirbusinthespacesectorandworkswithLockheedintheUK.

SpaceisseenasagrowthprospectasMacronhassaidhewantstheCNESFrenchnationalspaceagencytoworkmorecloselywithdefense,hesaid.

SercoworkswithSodexo,aFrenchcateringcompany,toprovidemealsin16Britishhospitals,Varneysaid.

ActivitiesontheContinentgeneratemorethan€100millioninannualsales,andtheaimistoriseabove€300millioninlessthanfouryears,Descléesaid.TheBelgiancontractgeneratesannualsalesofsome€4millionandthecompanyseekstoliftannualsalesinthatcountryto€12million.

“IwouldbeveryhappyifIgothalfofthatinFrance,”saidVarney,addingthathehopedtosecurea“decentsizedportfolio”oftwoorthreecontractsgeneratingestimatedannualsalesof€2million.

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AskedabouttheimpactofBrexit,Descléesaid,“ThereisabemusedcuriosityaboutwhatisgoingonintheUK.”TheEuropeanunitofSerco“standsonitsown”andisrelativelyautonomous.Ontheprograms,thereisalocalmanager,withtheskillsfromContinentalEurope,nottheUK.

SercoannouncedMay23acquisitionofthenavalsystemsbusinessunitofAlionScience&Technologyfor$225million.Theunitreported2018salesof$336millionandordersworthsome$600million.Serco’sbusinessinNorthAmericageneratedsalesof$453million.

Thatbusinessunitspecializesindesignofshipsandsubmarines,engineering,andsupportservicesfortheUSArmyandNavy,andCanadianNavy.

RupertSoames,agrandsonofWinstonChurchill,ischiefexecutiveofSerco.HisbrotherisNicholasSoames,aparliamentarianoftheConservativeParty,whichpickedBorisJohnsonasprimeminister.

SercoreportedJuly31reportedfirst-halfoperatingprofitfellto£17.2millionfrom£31.9million.Thatfallinoperatingprofitstemmedfromachargeforexceptionalitems,whichincluded£22.9milliontiedtotheUKSeriousFraudOffice(SFO)closinganinquiry,thecompanysaid.

Sercohadaccepteda£19.2millionfineforthreechargesoffraudandtwooffalseaccountingwhenthecompanyhadprovidedelectronictaggingtotheUKMinistryofJusticebetween2010and2013,Reutersreported.Thatfinewashalvedasthecompanyhadreportedtheoffencesandcooperatedwiththeinquiry.AnagreementhadbeenreachedwiththeSFO.

First-halfunderlingtradeprofitroseto£50.2millionfrom£37.6millionayearago.

Serco’sflagshipFMdealintheUKistomaintainFylingdales,theRAFbasepluggedintotheUSballisticmissileearlywarningsystem.Thatcontractdatesbackto1964.

ThecompanyalsoservicesaircraftintheUK,includingBAE146jets,whichflytheroyalfamily,primeministerandseniorofficials.

An Airbus Update: First Half of 2019 Financial Results 08/01/2019 Paris,France

Germany’ssuspensionofarmsexportstoSaudiArabialedtoacontinuedfinancialhitforAirbus,whichreportedJuly31achargeof€208million($232million)infirst-halfresults.

Thatchargecomprisedachargeof€18millioninthesecondquarterafterachargeof€190millioninthefirstquarter,theEuropeanaircraftbuildersaidinfinancialresults.

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BerlinearlierthisyearextendedtoSeptemberitssix-monthbanonweaponsexportstoRiyad,toprotestagainsttheslayingofSaudijournalistJamalKhashoggi.

LondonandParishavecriticizedthatGermansanction,astheBerlinbanhasheldupdeliveryofBritishandFrenchweaponswhichrelyonGermanparts.

Meanwhile,theAirbusDefenceandSpace(ADS)divisionsaidJulianWhiteheadwouldtakeupthepostofexecutivevicepresidentforglobalbusinessandstrategicprogramsonOct.1.WhiteheadisexecutiveVPforfinanceandsitsontheexecutivecommitteeatthedivision.

ThatappointmentwassignificantinviewoftheworkontheFutureCombatAirSystemandaEuropeanmedium-altitude,long-endurancedrone,DirkHoke,AirbusDSchiefexecutive,saidinastatement.

Thefirst-halfchargeof€208millionontheGermanarmsfreezewaswhatAirbusdubbedan“adjustment”andledtoanadjustedoperatingprofitof€2.5billion,up118percentfromayearago.

Otherchargesincluded€138millionforclosingdownproductionoftheA380superjumboand€90millionofothercosts,includingcompliance.Thelattercoversaninternalinquiryintotheuseofmiddlemenforaircraftandothersales,Reutersreported.

AirbusDefenceandSpacereporteda25percentfallinadjustedoperatingprofitto€233millionfrom€309million,reflectinginvestmentinsalescampaigns.Salesofthedivisionroseeightpercentto€5billion,boostedbymilitaryaircraft.

ThatcomparestototalAirbusrevenueof€30.9billion,up24percent,helpedbyairlinersales.

ADSwona33percentriseinordersworth€4.2billioncomparedto€3.2billion,includingacontractsignedwiththeOCCARprocurementagencyforserviceoftheA400Mairlifteringlobalsupportstep2,andanext-generationcommunicationssatelliteontheKa-band.

OrdersforthehelicopterdivisionincludedSpanishprocurementof23NH90militarytransporthelicopters.Thatdealledtonetordersof123units,downfrom143ayearago.

Thehelicopterdivisionreportedadjustedoperatingprofitof€125million,downsevenpercent,onsalesof€2.4billion,downonepercent.

OntheA400Mmilitaryairlifter,AirbussignedinthesecondquarteracontractamendmentwithOCCAR,adealwhichtooktwoyearsofnegotiations.Airbuslastyearbookedafurther€436millionofcharge,followingatotalof€7.2billionofpreviouschargesontheA400M.

TheA400Mcontractagreement,dubbedglobalrebaselining,setnewtermsforadevelopmentplanforcapabilities,newproductiondeliveryschedule,newtimetableforretrofitandnewfinancialterms.

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Inthefinancialterms,AirbusandOCCARagreed“significantcompensationinproductsandservices”inexchangefordroppingpenaltiesforlatedelivery,thecompanysaidJune14.

Incomparison,BoeingreportedJuly24alossof$2.9billioninthesecondquarter,comparedtoprofitof$2.2billionayearago.Thatlosswasduetoagroundingofthe737Maxairlineraftertwodeadlycrashes.

Thatquarterlylossfollowedachargeof$4.9billionduetoslowerproductionofthetroubledpassengerjet,delayeddeliveryandrelatedcosts.

The French Minister of Defense Lays Out the Way Ahead for French Military Space Policy 07/26/2019

Paris–ArmedforcesministerFlorenceParlysetoutJuly25astrategyforboostingmilitarycapabilityinspace,backedbyafundingboostof€700million($780million)andplanstofieldlaserstodisablespace-bornethreatstoFrenchsatellites.

ParlyalsosaidaspacecommandwillbestooduponSept.1andplacedundertheordersoftheairforce,whichwillbecometheairandspaceforce.

“Yes,wewilldeveloppowerfullasers,”shesaidinakeynotespeechatLyonairbase,centralFrance.Francemayhavelaggedbehindothernationsbutfullyintendedtocatchupinthisarea,withthelaunchofanarmsprogramdubbed“masteryofspace,”sheadded.

”Ihopewecanassoonaspossibleequipourvaluablesatellitesandspynano-satellitestokeepatadistanceand,ifnecessary,blindthosewhichhaveatendencytocometooclose,”shesaid.

Thiswasanambitiousplan,butFrancewouldhavethefirstcapabilitiesinthepresentmilitarybudgetlaw,withafullcapacityby2030,shesaid.

Anextra€700millionwillbeearmarkedforacquiringspacecapabilities,ontopofthe€3.6billionsetasideinthepresentmilitarybudgetlaw,shesaid,addingthatthespendingincreaseforspacewillcomefromtheoverallbudget,whichremainsunchanged.

Thatbidtoincreaseandarmspaceassetsmeansspendingcutsinotherprograms,whichwillcallfortalkswiththearmedforcesandprocurementofficials.

Tounderlinetheperceivedneedtobolstermilitaryspace,ParlysaidtheRussiansatelliteLuchOlymphadapproachedeightsatellitesofvariousnationssincesherevealedayearagothespacecrafthadclosedintolistentoAthena-Fidus,aFranco-Italianspacecraftusedformilitarycommunications.

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Therearealreadymeans—whicharebeingdeveloped—to“neutralize”ordestroysatellites,shesaid.

“Weknowit;theshadowofthreatisreal,”shesaid.

Thespacecommandwillbeinitiallystaffedby220personnelandbebasedinToulouse,southernFrance.

TheoperationscenterwillbebackedupbyaspacelabwhichwillhaveclosetiestotheDGAprocurementofficeandCNEScivilspaceagency.Therewillalsoaspaceacademytotrainstaff.

Francewillrevisethelawtoallowmilitaryspaceoperations,Parlysaid,suchastheUSandFinlandhavealreadydone.

Alongsideworkonspaceweaponsforan“activedefense.”Francewillincreasesurveillancecapabilities,shesaid.ParlymadeacalltoBerlintocooperatewithParisinaEuropeandrive,alongwithRome.

“IparticularlycountonGermanytomakeupthebeatingheartofspacesurveillance,”shesaid.

FrancehastherarecapabilitytodetectandtracksatelliteswithitsGravesandSatamradars,alongwithtelescopesoperatedbyCNRSandArianegroup,shesaid.Thereareplanstorefinethose,withthesuccessortotheground-basedGravessystemexpectedtodetectsatellitesassmallasashoeboxatadistanceof1,500km.

CNRSisaresearchinstitute,whileArianeisanAirbus-SafranjointventurewhichbuildstheArianecommercialspacerocket.

ResearchagencyOneraisworkingonincreasingthepowerofGraves,aground-basedradar.

FrancewillsupportCNRS’splantoincreaseitsTarottelescopeandAriane’sGeotrackersystem,shesaid,addingthattheministrywillaskforAirbustoprovidegreaterearthobservation.

Tarotconsistsoftworoboticobservatories,whileAirbushastrackedsatellitesfortheFrenchjointspacecommandonitsGeotrackeropticalsystemsinceautumn2017.

TheministryaskedinSeptemberthatcamerasbefittedforself-defenseontheSyracusemilitarytelecommunicationssatellite,andthatcapabilityisbeingfitted,shesaid.

ThalesAleniaSpaceandAirbusDefenceandSpacearebuildingtwoSyracuse4satellites,andathirdistobeaddedtotheconstellation.

Franceexpectstohavenano-satellites—smallsatellitesbetweenoneand10kg—in2023,whichwillbe«patrol»craftprovidingeyesinspace,shesaid.Thalesplanstobuildaprivateconstellationforearthobservation,whichFranceisfollowingwithcloseinterest.

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Therearealsostudiesonaverylong-rangeradar,whichwouldbeusefulduetothegrowingmissilethreat,shesaid.

Besidesprimecontractors,theauthoritiesarecountingoncompaniessuchasHemeria,Sodern,Cilasandothers,inthedriveforastrongermilitaryspace,shesaid.

“Wearecountingonyou,”shesaid.

PresidentEmmanuelMacronsaidJuly13theFrenchairforcewouldsetupinSeptemberaspacecommand,seenasneededtoensure“nationalsecurity.”

“Wewillincreaseourknowledgeofthesituationinspace,wewillbetterprotectoursatellites,includingintheactivesense,”Macrontoldseniorofficers,industrychiefsandpersonnelatthetraditionalgardenpartyontheeveoftheBastilleDayparade.ParliamentariansOlivierBechtandStéphaneTrompilledeliveredinJanuaryareporttoParly,layingoutthekeyissuesforaspaceforce.

Therearemorethan15nationscapableofspacelaunch,withover65countriesusingsatellites,thelegislatorssaidinaJuly24statement.Therearesome1,500satellites—withhalfofthoseAmerican—andthetotalnumberisexpectedtoriseabove8,000bytheendofthenextdecade,theysaid.

NationalandEuropeansovereigntywereatstake,withstepsneededtobetakentoprotectcivilandmilitarysatellitesastheseallowedFrancetosee,avoid,respondand“neutralize”threats,theysaid.Transport,communicationsandbankingcouldbeatriskfromattacksonFrenchsatellites.

Suchthreatsmadeit“indispensable”forFrancetohaveamilitaryspacestrategyandthefundsneededtomakeitcredible,theysaid.

Toaddressthoseconcerns,theparliamentaryreportcalledforboostingspacesurveillancebothbysatellitesandground-basedequipment,includingnewradarsfortheGraveandSatamsystems,telescopes,andasecondCosmosbasetotrackspaceassets.

Theaimistoknowwhatobjectsareinspace,theirlocation,owner,trajectoryandpurpose.SpacesurveillancecallsforFrenchsatellitestocarrysensorswhichsoundthealarmanotherspacecraftclosesin,“satellitewatchdogs”namelysmallsatelliteskeepingwatchonFrenchspaceassets.

Franceshouldacquiremeanstodisablespacethreats,saidtheparliamentaryreport,whichrecommended”non-kinetic”meansratherthananti-satellitemissiles.Thelatterwouldscatterhundredsofthousandsofspacedebris,whichwouldaddtotherisktoothersatellitesandleadto“collateraldamage.”

Theremayonedaybe”highintensity”warinspace,withFrenchsatellitesbeingknockedouttemporarilyorpermanently.

Thatriskcalledforthemeanstopursuemissionsdespiteadisablesatellite,theparliamentarianssaid.TherearealreadycasesofaforeignsatelliteapproachinginanattempttoeavesdroponaFrenchspacecraft.

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ThescaleofthetaskandfinancialneedcallonFrancetoworkwithEuropeanalliesratherthancompete.

Thereportcitesthe“sterilecompetition”betweenBerlinandParisonradarandopticalsurveillancesatellites.

“FrancecannotexistinspacewithoutEurope,”theauthorssaid.

Lookingfurtherahead,thereportseestheprospectofminingondistantplanets,withgreaterinterestinotherworldresourcesasnaturalresourcesdwindleonearthandthecostoflaunchfall.

“Theinterestinspace-basedresourceswillgrow,”theparliamentarianssaid.

Accesstoresourcesonearthandinspaceareeconomicinterestswhichshouldbeprotectedbymilitarymeans,theysaid.

The Coming of the Barracuda Attack Submarine to the French Navy 07/19/2019 Paris–TherewillbemuchnationalprideandhonorwhenFrenchindustryhandsoverJuly12totheNavythefirstnuclear-poweredBarracudaattacksubmarine,anew-generationboatthreeyearslateandgeneratinganinitiallossinthecontractworth€9.1billion($10.2billion)forsixunits.

PresidentEmmanuelMacronandarmedforcesministerFlorenceParlyareduetogotoCherbourg,northernFrance,fortheformalhandover,pointingupthepoliticalsignificanceoftheBarracudaprogram.

ThefirstBarracudaboatwillbechristenedSuffren,namedafterPierreAndrédeSuffren,anadmiralwhofoughttheBritishonthehighseasinthe18thcenturyandhighlyregardedbytheFrenchNavy.

Adelayofdeliverywastobeexpectedinviewofprogramcomplexityandthetimeneededtotrainalaborforcetobuildanuclearsubmarine,anexecutivesaid.

“Thisisoneofmostcomplexprogramsintheworld,”VincentMartinotLagarde,NavalGroupprogramdirector,toldaJuly9pressconference.TherewasaconcurrentdevelopmentandbuildingofthefirstboatoftheBarracudaseries,whichmeantthiswasa“difficult”project,whichtooktimetomaster.

“What’simportantisdeliveringahighqualitysystemwhichmeetstherequirementsofoperationalcapability,”hesaid.TimewasalsoneededasthenuclearballisticmissilesubmarineTerriblewasbuilt11yearsagoandthepersonnelneededtimetolearnhowtobuildanatomicboat.

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NavalGroupisprimecontractor,withCEAoverseeingworkonthenuclearreactor,arevisedversionoftheK15enginewhichpowersthenuclearballisticmissileboatandCharlesdeGaulleaircraftcarrier.TechnicAtomebuiltthenuclearpropulsionreactor.

FrancelaunchedtheBarracudaprogramin2006withacontractworth€9.1billionforsixboats,saidEmmanuelleTR,programdirectoratDirectionGénéraledel’Armement,theprocurementoffice.Thatbudgetincludeddevelopment,manufactureandspares,whileexcludingmodificationoftheports,mainlyatBrestandToulon.

Thisisan“ambitiousandchallenging”program,shesaid.Anorderforthesixthandlastattacksubmarineisduelaterthisyear,assetoutinthemilitarybudgetlaw.

Seatrialsareduetobegininthefirstquarternextyear.

ThearmedforcesministrylastyearorderedafifthBarracudaandsetaside€2.3billionfortheboat,thefinancialannexofthe2018defensebudgetshows.Theministryspentsome€612milliononthesubmarineprogramlastyear,thebudgetannexshows.

Thelatedeliveryleadstopenaltypaymentsunderthecontract,soindustrywillmakealossonthefirstboat,aseniorexecutivesaid.Lessonslearntonbuildingthefirstofseries,whichisalsoaprototype,helpsindustryspeedupproductiononthefollowingsubmarines,allowingarecoveryofprofit.Industrycanalsoaskforrefundonpenaltypaymentsandthereismoneytobemadeontheservicecontract.

Deliveryin1997ofthefirstTriomphantballisticmissileboatwassometwoto2-1/2yearslate,theexecutivesaid.

TheBarracudacarriesnewcapabilitiesincludinglongrangestrikewithacruisemissile,wire-guidedF21heavytorpedo,ExocetSM39anti-shipmissile,andaminisubmarineforspecialforces.Thelatterishousedinadrydeckshelterfittedonthehull.Thesubmarinecanalsolaymines.

Theboatisequippedwithanelectro-opticalperiscopewhichprojectspicturesonadigitalscreen,replacingconventionaltechnology.FranceconsideredaperiscopefromPilkington,basedinGlasgow,Scotland,beforeselectingSafranassupplier,theseniorexecutivesaid.

PilkingtonisaBritishunitoftheFrenchThalesgroup.

The2018militarybudgetshows50navalcruisemissilesaretobeordered.

Thereisaquieterandfastersubmarine,drawingonamixofelectricandturbineengines,withgreaterautomation,saidNavalGroup.

IncreasedautomationallowsaBarracudatobecrewedby65comparedto75onthepresentRubisclass.Thenewboatcansailfor70daysatseacomparedto45daysonRubis.

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ABarracudacancarrya10-15strongspecialforcesunit.

Thereisanationalsovereigntyissueonthenewsubmarine,adefenseanalystsaid.ThereareonlythreeNatonationswithanuclearattacksubmarine,namelyBritain,FranceandtheUS.

OwnershipofthatcapabilitykeepsFranceinthe“clubofdecisionmakers,”theanalystsaid.FrancedeployeditsAmethystnuclearattacksubmarineintheAdriaticin1999,undertheNatomissioninKosovo.

TheattackboatoperatesasescortfortheCharlesdeGaullecarriernavaltaskforce,offersacapabilityforspecialforces,intelligencegathering,andworkswiththeballisticmissileboats.WorkonthestealthqualitiesofBarracudahullplatescanhelpdevelopmentofthenext-generationballisticmissilesubmarines.

TheBarracudacanalsobeseenaspartofbroadacquisitionpolicy,includinganacceleratedorderofA330MRTTinflightrefuelingjets,RafaleF4upgradeandtheArmy’sScorpionmodernization.TheseorderssignalapursuitofFrenchindependenceofcapability.

WorkontheBarracudahelpedFrancewintheA$50billionAustraliancontractfor12ocean-going,diesel-electricboats,whichstrengthensbilateralties,theanalystsaid.

Thelatedeliveryreflectsthecomplexityoftheprogram,saidparliamentarianFrançoisCornut-Gentille,whositsonthefinancecommitteeoftheNationalAssembly.

“Itistheprogramitself,”hesaid.TheFrenchNavy,DGAandindustrywerecaughtupincomplexitywhicharisesfromtheconceptoftheprogram.

FrancelaunchedtheprogramwithanorderinDecember2006forthefirstBarracudaboat,followedbyanordersinJune2009forthesecond,June2011forthethird,andJuly2014forthefourth.Asixthorderremainstobeplaced.

ThefirstBarracudaboatwouldenterservicein2020insteadof2017,theNavychiefofstafftoldJuly26,2017thedefensecommitteeofthelowerhouseNationalAssembly.

“Thisisnotascooterbutasystemhardtobuild,andmistakesweremade,whichhavetobeidentified,fixedandcaughtupon,”Adm.ChristophePrazucksaid.TheNavyhasbeentrainingitsfirstcrewonsimulators,awaitingdeliveryofthefirstboat.

ThatdelayindeliveryhasforcedtheNavytostretchouttheoperationallifeoftheRubisclassofsubmarines,toensureasix-strongfleetofsubmarines,hesaid.

ThatfleetsizemettheNavy’soperationalrequirement,hesaid,asonewillbeundergoingamajoroverhaulover1-1/2totwoyears,asecondwillbeindockforroutineservice,athirdwillusedfortraining,afourthdeployedintheAtlantic,afifthintheMediterranean,andthesixthwillsailingintheAtlantic,orMediterranean,orIndianOcean,hesaid.TheBritishRoyalNavysailssevenattacksubmarines,headded.

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IntheUK,theAstutehunter-killersubmarinewas£2billionoverbudgetandfouryearslate.

Therewillbeaheavybudgetaryimpactafter2020,withthedeliveryoftheBarracuda,a2018reportoftheparliamentaryfinancecommitteesaid.TherehasalreadybeenanoperationalhitduetodelayeddeliveryoftheBarracuda,thereportsaid.TheNavyretiredthefirstoftheRubisclassboatsinJanuary2017,leavingonlyfivesubmarinesinservice.

DuetothegreaterlengthandweightoftheBarracudacomparedtoRubis,thesubmarinedocksintheToulonnavalbase,southernFrance,aswellthoseatBrestandCherbourg,willneedtobeadapted,theparliamentarycommitteereportsaid.Some€524.3millionwasearmarkedlastyearforadaptingthedocks,with€170.5milliondisbursed.

FundswillbeneededfordismantlingtheretiredRubis,with€2.8millionclearedlastyear,thereportsaid.NGandArevaTAarebreakinguptheRubisatCherbourg.

Putting FCAS Into a Broader European Political Context: The EU, Brexit and Shaping a Way Ahead 06/20/2019

Paris–FrenchandGermandefenseministersattendedanunveilingofamock-upofanewfighterjetattheParisairshow,evenasthetwocountriescompetetofilltopjobsintheEuropeanUnion,andtheUKConservativepartylimpstowardselectinganewprimeministertosteeranexitfromtheEU.

FrenchpresidentEmmanuelMacronandGermanchancellorAngelaMerkelareattendingJune20anEUsummitoftheEuropeanCouncilinBrussels,seekingtoagreeonaseriesofkeyappointmentsinleadingEUinstitutions.

Previously,FranceandGermanyagreedtosupportthesamecandidates,butMacronandMerkelarejostlingtofieldtheirrespectivecandidates.

Thereismuchtoplayfor,astheseseniorpostswillsteerfutureEUpolicy,whichincludesEuropeandefense.

ThiswillbethelastEUsummitforTheresaMay,whoissteppingdownasBritishprimeministerandhandingoverthetaskofnegotiatingBrexittohersuccessor.

ThepoliticalappointmentiswidelyexpectedtobeBorisJohnson,whohasgarneredthemostvotesinasecretballotbyConservativepartylegislators.Paid-upmembersoftheConservativeparty,estimatedat160,000,willthengettovoteonthetwocandidates.

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ThatraisestheprospectofJohnsonmovinginto10DowningStreetasthenextprimeminister,andbecomingthepoliticaldecideronissuessuchaswhethertocooperatewithEuropeanmilitaryprojectspursuedacrosstheEnglishChannel.

JohnsonhascampaignedasaferventsupporterofBrexit,insistingonleavingtheEUonOct.31,whetherthereisanegotiateddealornot.

Thenagain,Johnsonhasalso,inateleviseddebatewithConservativepartycontenders,fudgedonwhetherhewouldindeedobservethatdeadlinefordeparture.

JohnsonmightonedaybeaskedtoconsiderwhetherLondonwillbringtheBritishTempestfuturefighterjetprojectclosertothefuturecombatairsystem(FCAS),inwhichBerlin,ParisandMadridhavesigneduptobuildanewEuropeanfighter.

ThecompetitionbetweenFranceandGermanytoappointseniorEUofficialsincludespresidentsoftheEuropeanCommission,theexecutivearm;EuropeanCouncil,thepoliticalforum;EuropeanCentralBank;andEuropeanparliament.

TherearealsotopjobstobefilledattheEUforeignpolicyunitandtheEU’srecommendationforthenextNATOsecretarygeneral.

TheEUisgearinguptotakeanactiveroleindefenseandsecurity,withthecreationoftheEuropeanDefenseFund,intendedasameanstochannelinvestmentintoresearchanddevelopmentofmilitarytechnology.

TheEuropeanParliamentwillhaveawordtosayastheEuropeanmembersofparliament,freshfromelectionslastmonthacrossthe28memberstates,havetotherighttoendorsetheselectionoftheEuropeanCommissionpresident.ThatendorsementgrantspoliticalpowertotheEP,inabidtorespondtocriticismofa“democracydeficit.”

BritishvoterstookpartintheEuropeanparliamentaryelectionslastmonth,andtheUKisduetoleaveonthedatewhichcoincideswithHalloween.

MBDA and FCAS: Building Weapons for the “Combat Cloud” 06/19/2019ParisAirShow2019

MBDA,amissilebuilder,displayedattheParisairshowlife-sizemodelsofconceptsforcruisemissilesandtacticalsmartweaponsasoptionsfortheFutureCombatAirSystem,aEuropeanplanforanewfighterjetandotherweapons.

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ASpearmissilewasalsoonshowattheMBDAexhibitionchalet,signalingtheEuropeancompany’stargetingsalestooperatorsoftheF-35fighter.

TheUK’sdevelopmentcontractfortheair-to-groundweaponopenedupaglobalmarketonthejointstrikefighterandprospectsontheBritishTempestnewaircombatsystemsproject.

Thesedisplaysgiveaglimpseofweaponswhichmightbeusedtooutsmarttheanti-access,areadenialsystemsdeployedbyenemyforces.

Foralliesplanningadeepstrikemission,therearemockupsofconceptsforsubsonicandsupersoniccruisemissiles,potentialreplacementstotheStormShadow/ScalpBritishandFrenchweapons.

Theformerwouldweigharoundoneton,flymorethan1,000kmtohithardtargetssuchasconcretebunkersandcommandcenters.

ThelatterwouldhavespeedofMach2andmoreandofferagilityinflight.

Fortacticalstrike,therearemodelsofSmartGliderandapoweredversion,SmartCruiser.

Theformerwouldnothaveanengineandwouldbeguidedbyatargetingsystemofinfrared,laserandGPS.Thelatterwouldhaveamotorandrangeofsome200km.

BoththesewouldbepartoftheFCAScombatcloud,connectedtofighterpilotsandgroundcontrol,loadedwithartificialintelligenceforatargetdesignator,withtheirusesetbyrulesofengagement.

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Theseweaponscouldbeusedasa“swarm”tosaturateairdefensesystemssuchastheS300orS400missile.

Thedestructivepowerofwarheadscouldbescaledupordownaccordingtooperationalneed,withtheweaponssmallenoughtofitsixunitsonacontactpoint.Thatwouldallowupto18weaponsonaRafale,orfourunitsineachoftheinternalweaponsbayontheFCASfighter.

MBDAinvestedcompanyfundsonstudiesfortheSmartGlider,andacoupleofcountriesareinterestedinorderingtheweapon,anexecutivesaid.

Therearealsotwotypesofsmalldronesweighing150kgand250kg,dubbedremotecarriers.ThesearederivedfromSmartGlideranddesignedtocarrysensorsand“effectors”suchaselectronicwarfarepayloadstoconfuseorhitanintegratedairdefensesystem.

Suchapowered,low-costdronemightemulateaRafale,trickingthedefensesystemandactasdecoy.SpeedsofMach0.75to0.9onasmallturbojetareenvisaged.

Anothertypeofconceptweaponconsistsofasmallanti-missilemissile,alastchance“ultimatedefense”apilotwouldfireagainstanapproachingmissile.

Thiscouldbea“hardkill”weaponworkingonkineticstrikeandwouldbeacomplementtoself-defensetoolssuchaschaff,flaresandelectronicjamming.

Therecouldbeatleastfouroftheseweapons,eachweighinglessthan10kgandlessthanonemeterlong.MBDAispitchingtheconcepttoAirbusandDassaultAviationfortheFCASfighter.

TheMeteormissileisalsoonshow,andthereachofthislong-rangeweaponcouldbeextended.Therearestudiesforanupgradewithamultimodeseekerforfuturemodels.

MBDAsignedupasapartnerontheFCASjointconceptstudyledbyAirbusandDassault.

France Arms Its Reapers 06/18/2019Paris–FranceisdueinNovembertoarmitsReapermedium-altitude,long-endurancedronewiththeGBU-12smartbomb,withtheHellfiremissiletobefittednextyear,adefensesourcesaid.

TheFrenchAirForcearmstheMirage2000fighterjetwiththeGBU-12,saidthesource,adding,“ThenextstepistheHellfireattheendof2020.”

TheGBU-12isalaser-guidedbomb.

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AdeliveryofsixarmedReaperUAVstotheAirForceisinthe2019-2025militarybudgetlaw,allowingFrancetofollowtheBritishandUSinflyingweaponsontheReaperfleets.

“TheGBU-12capabilitywillbeavailablefromtheendof2019,”saidaspokesmanfortheDirectionGénéraledel’Armement(DGA)procurementoffice.ThecapacityfortheHellfirewillbeavailableattheendof2020,headded.

ThethirdbatchofReapersisduetobedeliveredthisyear,withthefourthandfinalsettobeshippednextyear,hesaid.

FranceorderedinDecember2016thefourthbatchofReapersfordeliveryin2019.Thatsystem,whichwillbeshippedayearlater,willbedeliveredintheBlock5version,aswillthethirdbatch.

ThefirsttwobatchesoftheUAVwillbeupgradedfromBlock1.

Eachbatchcomprisesthreeunits.

AddingweaponswillroughlyhalvetheReaper’sflighttimetosome10hours,asthebombsormissilesincreasethedrageffectonthedrone,thesourcesaid.

Thatshorterflighttimebooststheimportanceofpreparing,or“shaping,”thestrikemissionwhenflyingacriticalreconnaissancemission,thedaybefore.

TheFrenchforcesexpecttoflyatleast10Reapersnextyear,andthereismuchthoughtonwheretodeploythedrones.

TheAirForcehasbeenflyingtheReaperfromanairbaseinNiamey,thecapitalofNiger,tosupportFrenchandalliedtroopsintheBarkhanemilitarymissionacrossthesub-SaharanSahelregion.

PotentialdeploymentsincludeDjibouti,IraqandSyria.

Oneofthefactorsindecidingthatdispatchis“co-deployment”withtheUS,withsharedlogistics,trainingandequipmentinthe“USReaperfootprint,”thesourcesaid.

ThatwouldmaintainclosetiesforgedinoperationsinNiger.

ThereareFrenchspecialforcesalongsideBritishandUSunitsfightingIslamicState(ISIS)insurgentsthreateningKurdishcommunitiesinnortheastSyria.

USReapersarebasedinthatregion,withtheconsentofSyrianpresidentBasharal-Assad,soadespatchofFrenchReaperscoulddrawonmutualsupport.

TheFrenchforcescontinuetorelyonGeneralAtomics,themanufacturerofReaper,fortake-offandlandingtheUAVinNiger.

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ThereareonlyfourorfiveFrenchpilots“ontheground”toflytheReaper,sotherearetoofewtosendtotheUSforthetwoorthreemonthsneededtotrainfortake-offandlanding.

IntheBarkhaneoperation,FranceisalliedwiththeG5SahelgroupcomprisingMauritania,Niger,Mali,BurkinaFasoandChad.

Thatmilitaryallianceseekstofightagainstfundamentalistjihadistforces.

FranceisalsoactiveintheMiddleEastLevant,spanningIraqandSyria.

The Evolving Dynamic Missile Threat: A European Response 06/17/2019 Paris–WesternalliesfacethethreatofawiderangeofChineseandRussianballisticmissilesandcruiseweapons,whileNorthKoreaandIranlooktotheirmissilecapabilitytobackupclaimstoregionalpower.

ThenatureofthedevelopmentofChineseandRussianmissilecapacityisseenbysomeinEuropeanindustryasthreateningWesternparity,byshiftingthegeostrategicandoperationalbalance.

Ballisticmissilestippedwithconventionalwarheadsanddesignedtoflyinanevasiveterminalflightcanbeusedaspoliticalandstrategictoolsasafactoraffectingcrisismanagementevenwithoutbeingfired.

Besidesmissilestohittargetsonlandandatsea,Moscowhasinvestedheavilyinanti-accessareadenial(A2AD)ordefenseindepth,designedtohinderWesterncombataircraftlookingtostrikeRussiantargets.

TherearesomeinEuropewhoconsiderthatenemyairdefensesshouldbeconsideredasakeychallengetobedealtwithwhenFranceannouncesattheParisairshowaprojectforatechnologydemonstratorforaFutureCombatAirSystem,whichincludesanewfighterjet.

TheParisAirShowisduetoopenJune17.

TheWestredeployeditscombataircraftinSyriaoutofharm’swaywhenRussiasentitsS400surface-to-airmissiletotheMiddleEasterncountry.ThatwasseenbysomeasashiftinthebalanceofpowerinSyria,withRussiawinningtheadvantagepoint.

MoscowdispatcheditsadvancedTriumphweaponsystemtoSyriainresponsetoTurkey,aNATOally,downingin2016aRussianfighterjet.

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ChinaandRussiaarebothseekingtoboostballisticstrikecapabilitieswithdevelopmentoffastermissileswithgreaterrangeandmaneuverabilitytooverwhelmairdefensesystemsandhittargets.

Thoseweaponscanbelaunchedfromwarships,submarinesandfighterjets,intendedtohitcommandcentersandairbases.

AChineseballisticanti-shipmissile,dubbedDongFeng-21Dcouldbefiredagainstkeynavaltargetssuchasaircraftcarriers.

Russiaisworkingtoboostanti-accessareadenial(A2AD),withgreaternetworksofdetectionandtrackingtoenlargethegeographicalcoverageofanti-missiledefense.

SuchamissiledefenseconceptcanbelikenedtotheChinaWallorHadrian’sWall,builttoprotectthehometerritoryfromoutsideencroachment.BuildingupthatRussianA2ADmakesithardertomountasurpriseattackbystealthyenemyaircraft.

MeanwhileinEurope,FranceandItalyareupgradingtheAster30,aland-based,surface-to-airmissile,totheBlock1NTversion,todeliveragreaterrangeofinterception.

OtherEuropeanairdefenseprojectsareunderstoodtobeplanned.

Onthestrikeside,RussianpresidentVladimirPutinsaidMarchlastyearthatRussiawasworkingonanuclear-powered,hypersonicmissile.

CNBCreportedMarch22thatRussiahasbeenworkingondevelopmentofthatweapon,dubbedSkyfall,sincetheearly2000s,drawingonagasoline-poweredmotorfortake-offandanuclear-poweredengineforflight.

Butthatmissilewillneedworkforanotherdecadetobe“combatready,”accordingtoaUSintelligencereport,CNBCreported.

Forcountriesseekingtosecureregionalpower,ballisticmissilesofshort,mediumandintermediaterangeareanaffordablealternativetodevelopingajetfightertocounterWesternairsuperiority.

Oneofthedevelopmentswhichhasraisedthethreatistheshifttosolidfuelfromliquidpropellant,asthatmakesitfastertoprepareandlaunchthemissile.

Theshort-rangeSS-26missileusessolidfuelandiscompatiblewiththeintermediate-rangenuclearforce(INF)treaty.

Russiadeclaredthe4-tonSS-26,dubbedIskander,operationalin2007.Thatdomesticversioncanfly480km,whiletheexportmodelhasarangeof280km.VariantsoftheSS-26armChina,IranandPakistan.

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Thatmissileisabletochangecoursesome20-30kmfromtargettoavoidinterceptors,flyingbyitsbuilt-inguidancesystems.

TheSM3hasbeendeployedinPoland,withthatUSmissiledeemedtobecapableofinterceptingtheSS-26incertainpartsofthecountry.

Meanwhile,FrenchAirchiefofstaffGen.PhilippeLavigneMay15toldthedefensecommitteeofthelowerhouseNationalAssemblythatFrancehas“holesinitsracquet”asitsairdefensesystemlackedcapabilityagainstdronesandothernewthreats.

TheNatoprogramforanintegratedAirCommandandControlSystem(ACCS)islate,hesaid.

Aplan,backedbyFranceanditsAirForce,hasbeendrawnuptotackletheproblems.

ButthosecountrieswhichoptedfortheF-35jointstrikefighterhavenotbackedthatplan,headded.

NatohasaskeditsAlliedCommandTransformationofficetodrawupoptions,soadecisionontheACCSprogramcouldbemadebythemiddleof2019.

ACCSisintendedtolinkupintoonenetworkthevariousnationalcommandandcontrolsystemsofsomeNatomembersinEurope.

Fincantieri and Naval Group Move Forward on Cooperation: The Poseidon Project 06/17/2019 Paris–FincantieriandNavalGroup(NG)signedJune14anagreementsettingoutcooperationontheirPoseidonproject,ajointventureaimedatboostingItalianandFrenchcollaborationinbuildingandsellingwarshipsfornaviesathomeandabroad.

“Followingtheannouncementmadeon23October2018,todayFincantieriandNavalGroupsignedinRometheAllianceCooperationAgreement,whichsetsouttheoperationaltermsfortheincorporationofa50/50ownedjointventure,”NGsaidinJune14statement.

“Therewasgoodsupportfromtheministers,”NGchiefexecutiveGuillousaid.

“Perhapstherewillbeasharecapitaldeallater,”headded.

ThecreationofajointlyownedsubsidiaryisacooperativestepbutrealconsolidationinEuropeandefenseindustryrequireschangeofownershipintheparentcompanies.

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Previously,therehadbeenaplanforacross-shareholdingoffiveto10percentbetweenFincantieriandNG,buttheFrenchauthoritiesdroppedthatasconcernroseovertheanti-EuropeansentimentoftheItaliangovernment,afragilecoalitionbetweenthefar-rightLeagueandanti-establishmentFiveStarMovement.

Theallianceagreementaimstosharebestpracticesbetweenthepartnercompanies,workonselectedresearchanddevelopment(R&D),trimprocurementcosts,andmakejointoffersforFrenchandItalianprogramsandexportdeals.

Submarinesareexcludedfromthedeal,whichcoverssurfacewarships.

Thejointventureisexpectedoverthenext10yearstowinordersworthupto€5billion($billion),build10-15warshipsandachievesynergiesof10-15percent,Reutersreported.

Thales,whichbuildsnavalcombatsystems,holdsa35percentstakeinNG,withtheFrenchstateowningmostofthesharecapital.

Thereisneedfor“criticalmass,”tobecompetitive,GuillousaidJune14atParisAirForum,abusinessconferenceorganizedbyfinancialwebsiteLaTribune.

TheFrenchNavydependsonexportstogeneratea“supplementary”€400millionayear,headded.

“Withoutexports,themilitarybudgetlawisbeyondexecution,”hesaid.

Thereis“complementarity”betweenFincantieriandNavalGroupintheworldmarket,astheformerispresentin15countries,whilethelatterisin10,withnooverlap,hesaid.

ThatbilateralcooperationisessentialinviewofseverecompetitionfromChinaandRussia,andshipbuildersinKorea,UkraineandIndia.

AEuropeancooperativelinkisneededduetoagreaterburdenofresearchandtechnology,andR&D,hesaid.

Twentyyearsago,awarshipwouldsailwithtwogenerationsoftechnology,buttheFrenchintermediatefrigatebeingbuiltisexpectedtosupportsixgenerationsinitsoperationallife.ThatrequiredsharingthecostofR&TandR&D.

Therewillbesixexecutivesontheboardofthejointventure,withthreefromeachpartnercompany.Fincantieriwillnamethechairmanandchiefoperationalofficerforthefirstthree-yearterm,withNGappointingCEOandchieffinancialofficer.

Bonowillbeboardchairman,andGuillouwillalsositontheboard.

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Thejointventurecompanywillbelegallysetupbytheendoftheyear,followingauthorizationfromtheauthorities,withheadquartersinGenoa,northernItaly,andasubsidiaryatOllioules,justoutsidetheToulonnavalbase,southernFrance,theFrenchshipbuildersaid.

“ThealliancerepresentsagreatopportunityforbothgroupsandtheirecosystemstoenhancetheirabilitytobetterservetheFrenchandItaliannavies,tocapturenewexportcontracts,todevelopnewtechnologiesand,ultimately,toimprovethecompetitivenessofthenavalsectorsofbothcountries,”NGsaid.

FranceandItaly“supportthekeyinitiativessetbyFincantieriandNavalGroupwhichintendtoswiftlyputinplace,notablysettingupin2019,ajointventureofequalparts,forwhichtheaimistoreachcommercialandindustrialsynergies,”thetwogovernmentssaidinanOct.23statement.

TheEuropeanUnion’santitrustarmisexaminingFincantieri’sacquisitionof50percentofChantiersdel’Atlantique,aFrenchshipbuilder.ThatcompanyisacivilshipbuilderwiththesoleyardinFrancebigenoughtobuildafutureaircraftcarrier,sodeemedtobeofstrategicimportance.

GiuseppeBono,chiefexecutiveofFincantieri,andGuillousignedtheallianceagreementontheFedericoMartinengo,anItalianFremmmultimissionfrigateatLaSpezianavalbase.

TheFremmfrigatewasdevelopedandbuiltinaFranco-Italianprogram,withalowerlevelofjointprocurementcomparedtotheHorizonairdefensefrigate,alsoaprojectbetweenthetwocountries.

Thales and the Future Combat Air System 06/14/2019 Paris–FrenchelectronicscompanyThalesexpectstobringgreaternetworkconnectionandspeededupresponsesascontributionstotheFutureCombatAirSystem,aprojectkeytotheconceptofEuropeandefensebackedbypresidentEmmanuelMacron.

“Clearlytherolethatweintendtoplay,inwhateverconfigurationultimatelytheprojecthas,isaround…thenotionsofaugmented,connected,collaborativecombat,”AlexCresswell,executivevicepresidentforlandandairsystems,toldjournalistsJune12.

Thatconceptofanintegratedapproachtocombatwasbasedon“allthethingsthatenabletheimmenseamountofdatathatthesesensorsandsystemswillcollecttobeabletobeusedtomakesmarter,fasterdecisionswithregardtotheapplicationofmilitaryforceandtheorganizationofmilitarycapabilities,”hesaid.

ItwastooearlytosayexactlywhatThales’scontributionwillbetoFCASbutthecompanyhasinvestedheavilyintechnologywhichaimedto“flattencommandstructuresandmaketheseassetsmoreuseful,”hesaid.

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“Soweexpecttoplayarole,andwiththelevelofdefinitionoftheprojecteitherinFranceorGermany,orinFranceandGermany.”

Thecompanyhasinvestedheavilyastheconceptofaugmented,connected,collaborativecombatisseenasimportant.

ThaleswillbedisplayingattheParisairshowsystemswhichseektodeliverincreasedsmartsandspeed,includinganupgradedTaliosairbornetargetdesignationpodandGroundForce300land-basedradar.

MacronisduetovisittheairshowJune17,thefirstdayoftheshowcaseforglobalaerospace,andtheheadofstateisexpectedtomakeannouncementsonatechnologydemonstratorforanext-generationfighterjet,andresearchandtechnologyforanewengine,criticalpartsoftheFCASprojectbackedbyFranceandGermany,withParisastheleader.Spainisjoiningthatpartnership.

AirbusandDassaultAviationareworkingonthejointstudycontractforFCAS,withtheformerassystemsarchitectwhilethelatterfocusesonthenewfighter.

Negotiationsonwho-does-whatintheFCASprojecthavebeentough,andannouncementofindustrialcontractsmightbemadeattheendofsummer,financialwebsiteLaTribunereportedJune12.

Dassault,meanwhile,willputondisplayattheairshowconceptsforthedemonstrator.

“The2019Parisairshowwillhighlighthowwearepreparingforthefuture:extendingtheFalconfamily(6X),reinforcingoursupportservices,presentingwhatcouldbeademonstratorforthenextgenerationfighter(NGF)underthefuturecombatairsystem(FCAS)andtheagreementsbetweenDassaultAviationandAirbus,”DassaultCEOEricTrappiersaidinaJune4statement.

Airbushasthecapabilitiestotakeuptheroleofsystemsarchitect,anAirbusspokesmansaid.

Thoseskillsaretobefoundinitsdefenseandspaceunit,whichworksonmilitaryaircraftincludingA400M,A330MRTTandEurofighterTyphoon;dronetechnology;spaceincludingSyracuseandSkynetmilitarysatellites;andcommunications,intelligenceandsecurity,whichworksonC4ISRandsystemsofsystems.

Some2,000staffattheElancourtoffice,justoutsideParis,workoncybersecurity,artificialintelligenceandstudiesonthecombatcloud.Airbuscompletedaflightdemonstrationofa“connectedairbornebattlespacescenario,centredon(an)MRTTaircraft,”thecompanysaidJune13.ThetestwaspartofthedevelopmentofAirbus’networkforthesky(NFTS)program.

Thatflightdemonstrationsimulatedwidebandcommunicationlinksbetweengroundforces,fighterjet,amultiroletransport/transportaircraft,andacombinedairoperationscenterontheground,thecompanysaid.

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“Thisuniquedemonstrationisasignificantmilestoneinrealizingourvisionofsecureconnectivity,whichwillenablethefutureaircombatcloudandenhancerealtimeexecutionofmilitarymissions,”saidEvertDudok,headofcommunications,intelligence&securityatAirbusDefenceandSpace.

Airbus,partneredwithNavalGroupandRohde&Schwarz,wonlastyearacontracttoupdatetheFrenchNavy’sRifan2broadbandcommunicationsnetworktoa2.1level.

Lastyear,Airbus,partneredwithAtos,wonasix-yeardealtoprovidecybersecurityfor17EuropeanUnioninstitutionsandagencies.

Meanwhile,ThaleswillshowcasecombatsystemswhichdrawontechnologydeemedtobeessentialtoFCAS.

AnupgradedTaliospodwillequiptheplannedRafaleF4fighterwithacapabilitydubbedneuralprocessimagery.

Thatcapacitywillallowthepodtoprocesstheimagerypickedupinflightanddelivertargetdetectiontothepilotinrealtime,whileinflight.

ThepresentTaliossystemcollectsandstoreshighresolutionvisualdatainthepodwhileinflight.

Afterthepilotlandsanddataistransferred,imageanalysts’poreoverthepictures.

Thenewpodaimstospeedupoperations,withtheequipmentseenasreplacingsevenoreightimageanalystsworkingforaweektofindatargetforastrike.

ThaleswillalsodisplayGF300,alandradarbasedonSeaFire500,adigitalsensordevelopedfortheintermediatefrigatefortheFrenchNavy.

TheDGA,whichfundeddevelopmentofGF300,isintalkswithThalesforaselectionofanewradartoequipthenext-generationSAMP/T,anupdateforaFranco-ItalianairdefensesystemwiththeAstermissile.

GF300ispitchedashavinglongerrangethanthepresentArabelsystemandofferedatasimilarpriceasthelatter,withgreaterreliability.

Adecisionontheradarisduebytheendoftheyear,Thalessaid.

Reworking the Franco-German Arms Export Policies: A Crucial Challenge Facing FCAS 04/19/2019

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Paris,France

FranceandGermanyneedtoupdatea1972jointagreementonarmsexports,abilateralpactwhichhaseconomicbearingonaplannedEuropeanfighterjet,thefuturecombatairsystemorFCAS.

EricTrappier,chairmanofGIFAS,highlightedthechallengeattheGIFASpressconferenceheldonApril18,2019.

TheFrenchandGermanclearancefortheforeignsaleofweaponsshouldbe“harmonized,”hesaidatanewsconferenceonthe2018resultsofGIFAS.

“FrenchcompaniesarecallingforarevisionoftheDebré-Schmidttreaty,”hesaid.

ThatupdatewouldaddresstheexportoutlookofthefighterjetintheFutureCombatAerialSystem,anambitiousFranco-Germanproject.

Thatbilateraltreatyreferstoanagreementsignedin1972bythethenFrenchdefenseministerMichelDebréandhisGermancounterpartHelmutSchmidt,adoptingacooperativeapproachtosellingarmsabroad.

Despitethataccord,FrenchconcernshaveriseninrecentyearsoverareluctanceinBerlintoclearthesaleofGermanequipmentforFrenchweapons,holdingupexportsforFrance.

The“Germanproblem”onexportsstemsfromdifferencesbetweenthecoalitionpartners,Trappiersaid.

BritainandFrancearerelyingonGermanclearancesforequipment,headded.

InFrance,thereisbroadpoliticalconsensusonbackingarmsexports,withdefenseministersandpresidentspromotingFrenchweaponswhenabroad.

“Atacertaintime,atthestartofdevelopment,theissueofexportsarises,”Trappiersaid.

“Thereisaneconomicreality.”

The“internal”EuropeanmarketisnotbigenoughforEuropeancompaniestorecoverinvestment,unliketheU.S.market,whichislargeenoughforAmericanfirmsworkingontheF-35fightertomakemoney,hesaid.

“Thereneedtoberulesofthegameifwearetocooperate,”hesaid.

Theruleswillcoveroperationalrequirements,whichwillincludesomespecificcapabilities,andalsoexports.

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Francebansallforeignarmssales,socompaniesmustapplyforgovernmentclearancefromaninter-ministerialcommittee,dubbedCommissionInterministériellepourl’EtudedesExportationsdeMatérielsdeGuerre(CIEEMG).

“It’scomplicated,”hesaid.

Butdespitetheneed,itwasunlikelyFranceandGermanywillcometoacommonexportagreementinthenearfuture,accordingtoThomasGassilloud,deputyoftheLaRépubliqueEnMarche(LREM),acenterrightpartylaunchedbyFrenchpresidentEmmanuelMacron.

Perhapsthetwocountriescouldforma“commonconsultativegovernancebody,”GassilloudarguedinaFeb.2interviewwithLaTribune,abusinesswebsite.

ThatorganizationwoulddeliveradviceonwhetherornottoapproveFrenchandGermanarmssales.

FrancetakesintoaccounttheGerman“interestandopinion”onexportsandtheplannedFranco-Germantank,dubbedMainGroundCombatSystem,hesaid.

OntheprospectsforBritainlaterjoiningtheFCASproject,Trappiersaid,“Itisaquestionoftiming.”

BritainistiedupintalksonBrexit,onwhetherornottoleavetheEuropeanUnion,whetheronhardorsoftBrexitterms,duringoraftersummer,hesaid.

WhethertheUKleavestheEU,thecountryhasitsroleinEuropeandefense.

BritishcompaniesaremembersofAeroSpaceandDefenceIndustries(ASD),hesaid.

ASDisaEuropeantradeassociationinBrussels,lobbyingonbehalfofaeronautics,space,defenseandsecuritycompanies.

ThoseBritishcompaniesareconsideredEuropean,hesaid.

“Wehavetoldthosefirms:evenifBritainleavestheEU,youwillstillbeconsideredEuropean,”hesaid.

“ThehandofFrenchandEuropeancompaniesabsolutelywillbeheldouttoyou.”

ItisuptotheBritishandFrenchgovernmentstopursuethe2010LancasterHousedefensecooperationtreaty.

“ItistheresponsibilityofFranceandGreatBritaintocontinuetocooperate”hesaid.

BritainhasannounceditsprojectforTempest,apotentialBritishrivaltotheFranco-GermanfighterintheFCASproject.

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DassaultwillbeprimecontractorforthenewEuropeancombataircraft.

FranceplanstoannouncecontractsforafightertechnologydemonstratorattheParisairshow,whichopensJune17.

AirbusandDassaultareequalpartnersonastudyonconceptandarchitectureofthedemonstrator.

Thales,anelectronicscompany,willhaveakeyroleinthedemonstratorproject,FrenchdefenseministerFlorenceParlyhasaddedaswell.

“Ihaveplanstosigncontractsbetweennowandthemiddleofsummeronthisdemonstrator:inthissystemofsystems,Thales,thankstoitscapabilitiesasanintegrator,willplayafullroleinbuildingthedialoguebetweentheobjectsconnectedinthissystemofcollaborativecombat,”shesaidApril15.

ParlywasvisitingaThalesradarfactoryatLimours,justoutsidethecapital.

Gifasreporteda1.2percentrisein2018salesto€65.4billion($billion),ofwhich23percentwasindefense.Thatcomparestosalesof€64.2billioninthepreviousyear.

Exportsaccountedfor85percentofsales.

Ordersfell17percentto€58.2billion,ofwhichmilitaryaccountedfor28percent.

Gifasbookedordersworth€68.2billioninthepreviousyear.

Some4,000jobswerecreatedlastyear,with15,000newpostsexpectedthisyear.

French Naval Group and the Australians: Working the Cultural Challenges 04/17/2019 Paris

NavalGroup(NG)isimplementingachangeinemployeecommunicationsandbehavior,inabidtosmoothoutculturaldifferencesbetweenFrenchandAustralianstaffworkingonaUS$34billion(A$50billion)programtobuildsubmarinesfortheAustralianNavy,seniorexecutivessaid.

Thatdrivetoimprove“intercultural”relationsstemsfromAustralians’difficultiesinunderstandingtheFrenchwayofworksoonafterNGwonathree-waycompetitionin2016tobuild12ocean-goingboats,dubbedtheAttacksubmarineclass.

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TheseunderseavesselsforAustralia’sSea1000FutureSubmarineProjectwillbeadiesel-electricadaptationoftheBarracuda,anuclear-poweredsubmarineNGisbuildingfortheFrenchNavy.

TheFrenchcompanyhassoldScorpenesubmarinesandGowindcorvettesaroundtheworld,withatransferoftechnologytoallowlocalassembly.Amongthese,BrazilandIndiaarebuildingtheirScorpeneboats,whileEgypthasassembleditsfirstoffourGowindwarships.

Butthisisthefirsttimethecompanyhasbeenaskedtorethinkitsculturalapproach,asAustralian-Frenchteamswereformedandproblemsofcommunicationsunfolded.

Reshaping a Work Culture TheaimistodevelopacommonworkingculturebuiltfromAustraliaandFrance,allowingthesesubmarinestobebuiltontimeandonbudget.

“NoteveryonethinksliketheFrench,”saidJean-MichelBillig,NGprogramdirectorfortheAttacksubmarine.

“WehavetomakeanecessaryefforttounderstandthatanAustraliandoesnotthinklikeaFrenchperson,andthatit’snotbetterorworse,it’sjustAustralian.”

ThereisaneedtoorganizetheAttackprogramaccordingly,hesaid.ThatincludestranslatingFrenchnotjustintoEnglishbutAustralianEnglish.

Thereisneedtogobeyondthat,“tospeakacommonlanguageinculturalterms,”headded.

TheimportanceofAustraliaasadistinctandimportantregioncanbeseenbyTheGuardian,aBritishdaily,publishingUK,US,InternationalandAustraliaeditionsofitsnewswebsite.

“Basedondiscussions,thereisawillingnesstoknowthequalitiesandfaultsofeachother,nottousethembuttoconverge,tofindcommonpointssowecanworktogether,sowecandeliver.”saidYvanGoalou,NGinstitutionalrelationshipmanager.

“Thereissearchforopennessandsharing.”

Thereisneedforlisteningandhumility,hesaid.GoalouisaformerFrenchNavycommanderofboththenuclear-missileandnuclear-poweredattacksubmarine.

Australian Barbecue as Cultural Signifier AnexampleofAustraliancultureisthebarbecue,animportantpartoffosteringgoodworkrelations,Billigsaid.

ThereisareciprocalneedforAustralianstounderstandtheFrenchsanctityofthelunchbreak,notjustasandwichsnatchedatthescreen.

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AnotherbidbyNGtoboostitsopennessto“Anglo-Saxonculture”ispublishingitsinhousemagazineinFrenchandEnglish,seeninternallyasaradicalmove.

BigcompaniessuchasAirbusandThalesmayhavelongpublishedinhousemagazinesinEnglishandFrench,butanNGexecutivesaidthosefirmslacka400-yearhistoryasastatearsenal.

AnotherneedtobridgeaculturalgapcouldbeseeninthelettertostafffromCEOHervéGuillou,whoreferredtoinitiativestobeadoptedafter“larentrée.”

IthadtobeexplainedtoAustralianslarentréethatreferstostaffgoingbacktoworkinSeptemberafterthecompanycloseddownforthemonthofAugustforthetraditionalFrenchholiday.Aone-monthholidaystunnedAustralianswhothoughtofashort“summerbreak.”

OntheFrenchside,therewassurprisetoseeanAustralianinsistenceonpunctuality,thatameetingscheduledforanhourmeantjustthat,notanextra15minutes.SowhenAustraliansgotupandleftameetingwhetheranagreementhadbeenreachedornot,thatstartledFrenchcounterparts.

InFrance,thereistheconceptofa“diplomatic15minutes,”indicatingthatoneisnotconsideredtobelateifthetardinessisaquarterofanhour.

NGpursuesa“multidomestic”approachasitseeksdealswithcountrieswithdistinctculturaldifferencesuchasMalaysia,BrazilorIndia,saidArnaudGénin,strategiccommunicationsdirector.

“OnewouldthinkAustraliawouldberelativelyeasybecauseofeaseoflanguage,buttheculturaldifferencegoesdeeper,”hesaid.“Wehavetoworkonthat.”

Preparing French Staff NGistrainingsome20AustraliansondesignandmanufactureoftheAttackboatatCherbourg,northernFrance,andthatisduetorisetomorethan150keystaff.SomepersonnelareaccompaniedbytheirfamilyandthoseAustraliansneedtoadapttolifeinFrance.

Meanwhile,FrenchstaffarepreparingtoflytotheothersideoftheworldandworkintheAustraliansubsidiaryinAdelaide,southAustralia,wheretheboatswillbebuilt.

Therearesome350staffworkingontheprograminFrance,with100inAustralia.

InFrance,thatstafftallywillclimbtoapeakof700around2021/22beforefallingto200by2030,astheworkmovestoAdelaide,Billigsaid.InAustralia,thestaffwillrise“smoothly”to1,500infivetosixyearswhenthemanufacturinghitsfullpace.

Thecompanyisdevelopingtoolsfortheinterculturalcourses,whichincludetwo-hourseminarsandone-dayworkshops,MarionAccary,globalhumanresourcesbusinesspartnersaid.

TheseaimtoprepareFrenchexpatriatesandtheirfamilies“howtobehave,howtounderstandanddecode,”shesaid.“Thestaffwilllearnhowtocommunicate,holdmeetingsandworkinFrench-

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Australianteams.Personnelwillalsobeencouragedtotakedistancefromsituationswhichmightseemtobeconflictualduetomisunderstanding.”

ThereisalsoworkinAustraliatodeveloptrainingandcommunications.

SeparateseminarsforFrenchNGstaffandAustraliansstartedlastMayinCherbourg.TheformerincludesthehistoryofAustraliaasawaytoexplainthebehaviorofAustralians,importanceofdefense,andstrategicsignificanceoftheSouthPacificfortheCommonwealthofAustralia.

InFrance,thereisstrongstaffdemandforEnglishlanguagecourses.ThereisinterestinlearningFrenchinAustraliabutitishardertofindteachers.

ThewillingnessofFrenchteamstotakepartintheinterculturalprogramisanindirectindicatorofakeennesstoovercomeculturalproblems,Billigsaid.Iftherewerean“evaporation”ofthatreadiness,thatwouldunderminetheprogram.

Cultural play of Three Nations NGwillworkwithLockheedMartin,whichwillsupplythecombatmanagementsystemfortheAttackboat.NGdoesnotexpectproblemsinworkingwiththeUScompany,astheFrenchfirmhasworkedwithpartnersonothervessels.

“WewilllearnbyworkingwithLockheedMartinonthisprogram,”hesaid.“Itwillbeathree-wayprocessofculturallearning.”

NGwillworkwithitslocalpartner,state-ownedASC,formerlyknownasAustralianSubmarineCorporation,aswellasworkingwiththeAustralianauthorities.

Askedifthereisachangeofbusinessculture,BilligsaidtheAustralianprogram“haspushedNavalGroup’sambitionacoupleofrankshigherinthedriveforamultidomesticapproach.”

Thatinterculturalapproachispartofthetechnologytransfer,asAustralianswanttoextendknow-howtoknow-why.

Thatrequiresagreatdealmorethanhandingoverasheetofpaperandsay,“Voilà,Ihavetransferredtechnology,”Billigsaid.ItisaboutexplainingtheFrenchapproachtobuildingasubmarine.TheFrenchwayisnottheGermanorJapaneseway.

Current French Submarine Building Approach TheculturalfactoristheFrenchintellectualapproachtobuildingthesubmarine,hesaid.ThatreasoningledtheFrenchtoadoptcertainmethods,allowingtheFrenchNavytodeployasubmarinepermanentlyatseafor47years.

“ThatFrenchmethodisaconcentrationofhistory,competence,training,andtheFrenchecosystem,”hesaid.“Partofthetechnologytransferbaggageishavingtoexplainwhatwedo,whywedoitthis

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way,anditisnotgoodenoughtosayyouhavetodoitthisway.Ifyousaidthat,partoftheknow-howwouldhaveevaporated.”

ThatapproachisofferedtoexplainwhytheFrenchaimtousewaterratherthanlasertocutsteelanduseFrenchratherthanAustraliansteel.

“TheFrenchhaveaweldingmethod,Americanshavetheirown,”hesaid.

NG’sdedicationtotheAttackprogramreflectsthecompany’sneedtowin—andretain—foreigndeals,asthecompanycannotrelysolelyonthedomesticmarket.AustraliapickedtheFrenchfirminacompetitionwhichdrewrivaloffersfromGermanshipbuilderThyssenKruppMarineSystemsandMitsubishiHeavyIndustries,whichledaJapanesegroup,backedbytheJapanesegovernment.

ItisclearNGintendstodeliverontheinterculturalapproachastheCommonwealthofAustralia,buyeroftheAttacksubmarine,sawtheneedtoimprovecommunications.

“Theclientaskedforthiseffort,”Billigsaid.

“Thisisakeyfactorforsuccess.ItisnotforustobeAustralian,forthemtobecomeFrench.Wekeepourroots.Welearnthecultureoftheother.”

Editor’sNote:ThisistheinitiallookatthisdynamicbetweenFranceandAustralia.

Tobeclear,thisisnotatechnologytransferprogramofanexistingsubmarine.

Thisisaco-developmentofanewbuildsubmarine.

Assuch,theopportunityontheFrenchsideistoredo,evensignificantly,howtheybuildnewclassesofsubmarinesgoingforward.

AndattheheartofthechallengeofworkingthroughtheprogramisthattheAustraliansintendinthisprogramandinthefrigatetobuildamanufacturinglinearounddigitalproductionofthesortthatNavalGroupdoesnotcurrentlydo.

Differentworkstylesarealsoatwork,wherebytheFrenchfollowanapproachsignificantlydifferentfromtheAustralians,andthereislikelynotjusttobecross-learning,butthepossibilityofsignificantchangeontheFrenchsideaswell.

ThereisaverysignificantopportunityforNavalGrouptoexpanditsconceptsofoperationsandproductiontechnologiesandworkapproachthroughtheprogram,somethingusefulnotjustinAustraliabutinFranceandglobally.

Forexample,aninterestingquestioninplay:WhatisthenatureoftheBarracudabeingofferedtotheDutchNavyandhowdoesitrelatetotheAustralianprogram?

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Germany’s Embargo on Saudi Arabia and the Limits of European Arms Cooperation (Updated) 04/05/2019 Paris–Germany’srenewalofanarmsembargoonSaudiArabiaeffectivelycastsdoubtastheleadpartnerforFrancetobuildafuturefighterjet,drone,andtank,keyprojectstoboostconsolidationintheEuropeandefenseindustry.

BerlinonMarch28extendedbyafurthersixmonthsabanofthesaleofweaponstoRiyadh.GermanimposedthatsanctionlastOctoberinthewakeoftheslayingofjournalistJamalKashoggibySaudiofficialsinTurkey.

Thereissomeeasingonexistingcontracts,buttherenewedembargoforbidsnewGermanarmscontractswithSaudiArabiaandslowsdeliveryonexistingdeals,effectivelydraggingshipmentofpartstomaintainequipmentinservice.

BritainandFrancehaveprivatelyandpubliclylobbiedGermanytoeasethatclampdown.

ForLondon,therestrictionhindershopesofsigningacontractworth£10billion($13.2billion)forthesaleof48moreEurofighterTyphoonjetstoSaudiArabia.

GermanyisapartneroftheEurofighterconsortiumthroughAirbusandenginebuilderMTU.

ParishasurgedGermanytoslackenthesanction,whichblocksdeliveryofkeyGermansubsystemsfortheMBDAMeteorlong-range,air-to-airmissile,toarmtheTyphoon.

ThisembargocastsashadowonhowmuchPariscanrelyonBerlinasleadpartnerontheFutureCombatAerialSystem,avastprojectincludinganext-generationfighterjet,dronesflyingasremotecarriersandsmartcruisemissiles.

FrancemayleadontheFCASproject,butexporteffortswillrequireGermanapproval.

ThatrelianceonBerlin’sgreenlightextendstoFranco-Germanplanstodesignandbuildafuturetank,dubbedMainGroundCombatSystem,andnewartillery,namedCommonIndirectFireSystem.Germanywillleadtheprogramsforthoselandweapons.

BerlinalsotakestheleadindustrialroleinaEuropeanmedium-altitude,long-endurancedrone,anothermajorbilateralprojectwithParis.

ThosecooperativeprojectswillbekeytoaconsolidationofEuropeanindustryandinteroperabilitywiththeservices.SpainhassignedaletterofintenttojointheFCASproject.

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DassaultAviationispilotingthenext-generationfighterproject,whichseekstomaintainaFrenchbidtoretainnationalsovereigntyonanimportantcapability.

Butwhileitiscriticaltobeabletodesignandbuildanadvancedcombataircraft,itsprofitabilitywillhangonsellingasmanyjetsaspossible.Andforthat,Germanconsentwillbeessential.

FrenchandGermanofficialshavelongheldtalksbehindcloseddoorstoupdatebilateralrulesforarmsexports,buttheyhavesofarfailedtoreachagreement.

TheofficialshavesoughttoagreethethresholdofGermanorFrenchcontentinaweaponsystemwhichwouldrequirejustonenation’sapprovalforforeignsale,notbothcountries.

ThosenegotiationsarecriticaltoKNDS,whichpartnersFrenchstate-ownedNexterwithGermanprivatelyownedKrauss-Maffei-Wegmann.ThatjointventureplanstobuildthesuccessortotheLeclercandLeopardtanksandthenewartillery.

AreluctancetosellweaponstoSaudiArabiaandtardinessinagreeinganewexportregimereflecttheneedtoreachconsensusinGermandomesticpolitics,saidFrançoisLureau,aformerFrencharmsprocurementchief.

InBerlin,thecoalitiongovernmentledbytheconservativeChristianDemocratsmustnegotiatewiththeirjuniorpartnerSocialDemocrats.Thecenter-leftpartytakesadimviewofarmssalesandseekstolimitdealswithcountriesintheEUandNATO.

ChancellorAngelaMerkelhascalledforclosercooperationwithEuropeanalliesonarmsexports,butitwillbehersuccessor,AnnegretKramp-Karrenbauer,whomustfindapoliticallyacceptablesolution.

ConsensusistheGermanway,Lureausaid.Itwilltaketime,butanagreementwilllast.

Thatparty-politicaldebatehasledtosomecompromiseinthearmsbanonSaudiArabia.

CooperationwithEuropeanalliesinjointprojectswasallowedtogoon,aslongasfreshconditionswereobserved,TheTelegraph,aBritishdaily,reported.

FullyassemblednewweaponsshouldnotbesenttoSaudiArabia,wasoneoftheconditions.

ThatlookedlikeabanondeliveryofnewEurofighters.

EuropeanpartnersofGermanymaysupplyweaponstoSaudiArabia,butthosearmsshouldnotbeusedinthecivilwarinYemen,wasanothercondition.

TheBritishforeignminister,JeremyHunt,wroteaprivateletterearlierthisyeartohisGermancounterpart,callingforaneasingofthecrackdown,whichhurtBAESystems,theBritishpartnerontheEurofighterandsupplierofsparesfortheTornadofighter.

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FlorenceParlyandBrunoLeMaire,theFrencharmedforcesandeconomyministers,havealsocalledonGermanytorelaxthesanction,tolittleavail.

“ItisuselesstoproduceweaponsthroughimprovedcooperationbetweenFranceandGermanyifweareunabletoexportthem,”LeMairetoldWeltamSonntagnewspaper,Reutersreported.

“Ifyouwanttobecompetitiveandefficient,weneedtobeabletoexporttocountriesoutsideEurope,”headded.

Berlin’sreluctancetoauthorizeforeignsalesfromEuropeanpartnersextendsbeyondRiyadh.

Arquus,aFrenchbuilderoflightarmoredvehicles,findsithardtopitchitsproductsnotjusttoSaudiArabiaandEgyptbutalsoIndonesiaandIndia,saidCEOEmmanuelLarcher,businessdailyLaTribunereportedFeb.6.

Germanclearancewasslowforautomaticgearboxesandengines,whichmaybecivilproductsbuttheywouldbefittedonmilitaryvehicles.

SaleofthoseGermanproductsisnotbannedbutalengthyregulatoryclearanceisseenaseffectivelyforcingtheGermansupplierstopractice“self-censorship,”forcingArquustolookelsewhere,hesaid.TheFrenchcompanyreliedonUSfirmAllisonandGermanmanufacturerZFforgearboxes.

Inthelongterm,developmentofnewtechnologysuchasbatterieswillbreakoutof“thisviciouscircle,”hesaid

An Update on the Future Combat Air Systems Program: February 2019 02/25/2019 Paris

NegotiationsarebeingheldwithelectronicscompanyThalesandEuropeanmissilemakerMBDAonjoiningAirbusandDassaultinajointconceptstudyfortheFutureCombatAirSystem,saidasourcewhodeclinedtobeidentified.

Theindustrialpartnersaimtodecidewhodoeswhat,forhowmuch,andwithwhom,saidthesource,adding,“Wearenotfarfromanagreement.”

AirbusandDassaultAviation,whichsignedacontractJan.31,2019withtheFrenchandGermangovernments,haveagreedontheirrespectiverolesinthetwo-yearjointconceptstudy.

FrenchArmedForcesministerFlorenceParly,inthecompanyofherGermancounterpartUrsulavonderLeyen,announcedFeb.6thestudy,worth€65million($74million).TheministerswerevisitingSafran’sengineplantatGennevilliers,justoutsidethecapital.

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Parlyalsoannounceda€115millioncontractforafeasibilitystudy,dubbedTurenne2,inwhichSafranwilldevelopnewturbinebladesfortheM88engine,whichpowerstheRafalefighterjet.

ThenewbladesareexpectedtoboosttheM88’sthrusttoninetonscomparedtothepresent7.5tons.

SafrananditsGermanpartnerMTUsigned,duringtheministerialvisit,acooperationagreementtobuildenginesforaNextGenerationFighter,withParisandBerlinexpectedtosignthisyearacontractforanenginedemonstratorforthefuturefighter.

ThejointconceptstudyseekstodefinearchitectureandconceptsoftheNextGenerationFighter,apackof“remotecarriers,”andmissiles.TheseelementsareduetobehookedupintheFutureCombatAirSystem,asystemofsystems.

Ademonstratorforthenewfighterisexpectedin2025/26,withtheaircraftduetoenterservicein2040,thesourcesaid.

French,GermanandSpanishofficersgatheredFeb.20attheofficesofDassaultatStCloud,justoutsidethecapital,inthe“kick-off”meetingforthestudy.

AirbusandDassaultexecutivesalsoattended.

SpainsignedaletterofintentFeb.15tojoinFranceandGermany,andthatisexpectedtobefirmeduptoamemorandumofunderstanding.TheSpanishAirbusunitislikelytobetheindustrialpartner.

ThepartnernationsexpecttoannounceattheParisairshowcontractsforstudiesforademonstratorfortheplannedfighter,andresearchandtechnologyforanengineandremotecarriers.

Otherstudiesmayalsobeunveiled.

Dassaultwilltaketheleadroleinthenewfighter,whichwillreplacetheRafaleandEurofighterTyphoon.

Thenewfighterisexpectedtobeinthe30-tonclassandbebetween15-20meterslong.

TheFrenchversionwillbeabletolandonaircraftcarriers.

ForFrenchplanners,therearefourclassesofremotecarriers,comprisingalargedroneweighingseveraltonnes,acruisemissile,aSmartGliderandavarietyofsmallerremotesystems.ThatcompareswiththeUS,whichhasdrawnupaframeworkencompassingsome15differentremotecarriers.

Aremotecarrierisanunmannedsystemwhichwouldflyinafirstwaveofattackandseektodestroy,confuseordisableenemysystems,allowingmannedaircrafttoflyin.

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MBDAunveiledatthepreviousParisairshowin2017itsSmartGliderconcept,afamilyoflow-cost,unpropelledweaponsdeployedin“packs”whileinterconnectedwithmannedaircraft.

Thenewfighterwillbecapableofair-to-air,air-to-groundmissionsandcarryanuclearweaponfortheFrenchforces.

Currently,fortheGermans,theTornadocancarrytheB61nuclearbomb,withtheGermangovernmentconsideringtheTornadoreplacement.

“We,asDassaultAviation,willmobilizeourcompetenciesassystemarchitectandintegrator,tomeettherequirementsofthenationsandtokeepourcontinentasaworld-classleaderinthecrucialfieldofaircombatsystems,”DassaultexecutivechairmanEricTrappiersaidFeb.6.

DirkHoke,chiefexecutiveofAirbusDefenceandSpace,said,“BothcompaniesarecommittedtoprovidingthebestsolutionstoournationswithregardtotheNewGenerationFighteraswellasthesystemsofsystemsaccompanyingit.”

OfficersoftheFrenchDirectionGénéraledel’Armementprocurementoffice,airforceandnavy,andtheirGermanandSpanishcounterpartsattendedtheFeb.20meetingatStCloud.

AndtheattheParisairshowtobeheldfromJune17-23iswherethecompaniespromisedtoshowcasedemonstrators.

Editor’sNote:Thequestionofusingremotesastheinitialentryplatformwillrequirelowobservability,engineswhichcansupportlowobservability,securedatalinkswhichcanoperateinaseverelycontestedenvironment,andanabilitytobeappropriatelyweaponized,andinthecaseofhavingnon-lethalmeansofdestruction,effectivesmallpowerplants.

Andofcourse,theremoteswillneedtooperateinaGPSjammedenvironmentaswell.

A Look at the F-4 Rafale Upgrade Program 02/19/2019 Paris

FrenchArmedForcesministerFlorenceParlyannouncedJan.14theawardofa€1.9billion($2.2billion)developmentcontracttoupgradetheRafalefighterjettoanF4standard,whileevokingnationalsovereignty,operationalcapabilityandexportsaskeyfactors.

Thatbudgetwasagreedafterclosenegotiationsbetweengovernmentandindustry,asourceclosetothetalkssaid.

“Thisisaguaranteeofoursovereignty,”ParlysaidonavisittotheDassaultAviationfactoryatMérignac,nexttoBordeaux,southwestFrance.

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“Thisisachanceforourcapabilities,”sheadded.

“ItisalsoanecessaryinvestmenttoensuretheRafale’scompetitivenessforexportsinthecomingdecadesandtosafeguardtheindustrialsectorforthefighterjet.”

ParlysaidshewasproudtobetheleadadvocatefortheRafaleinanyprospectiveforeigndeal,addingthattheupgradeofferedfurtherargumentinfavoroftheFrenchfighter.

Dassault,MBDA,SafranandThalesarethefourbigcompaniesworkingontheRafale.

ThemainmodernizationfeaturesincludeaconnectivityofdatalinkswithFrenchandalliedforces,greaterdetectionandidentificationofthreats,andfittingupgradedmissiles.

AmodernizationtoF4wasinresponsetotheFrenchAirForce’s“evolutionofprobablethreat,”saidEtienneDaum,managerforaeronautics,defenseandsecurityatthink-tankCEIS,basedhere.

TheF4isimportantasaasteptowardtotheFutureCombatAirSystem.

TheF-4upgradeisthefirsttechnologypackagewhichallowstheFrenchfightertoflyinadatanetworkuntiltheplannedNext-GenerationFighterfliessometimeafter2035.

ThatfighterwillbeakeyelementintheFCAS,aEuropeanprojectforasystemofsystems,whichwillincludeamixofpilotedjets,unmannedarmeddronesandsmartweapons.

ARafaleupgradecouldbeseenasavictoryofpragmatismoveraculturalstereotypeoftheFrenchcharacterwhichissaidtofavorphilosophy.

Theupgradesareduetobeinstalledintwophases,withafirstbatchin2023,followedbyasecondin2025,theArmedForcesministrysaidinastatement.

Thatincrementalapproachisintendedtofitthefeaturesassoonastheyareavailable,partofanewdefensepolicy.

“TheF4standardispartoftheongoingprocesstocontinuouslyimprovetheRafaleinlinewithtechnologicalprogressandoperatingexperiencefeedback,”Dassaultsaidinastatement.

Theworkwillalsoallowmoreweaponstobefittedtoaircraft,includingMicaNewGenerationair-to-airmissileand1,000-kgAASMpoweredsmartbomb.

PlannedupgradesoftheASMP-Aairbornenuclear-tippedmissileandScalpcruiseweaponwillalsoarmtheF4.

Francewillorderafurther30Rafalein2023,withdeliveryof28dueby2024,Parlysaid.

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Dassaultwillbeindustrialarchitect,thecompanysaid.

“Wewillberesponsibleforimplementinginnovativeconnectivitysolutionstooptimizetheeffectivenessofouraircraftinnetworkedcombat(newsatelliteandintra-patrollinks,communicationserver,softwaredefinedradio).”

Therewillbealsobeupgradestotheactiveelectronicallyscannedarrayradar,frontsectoropto-electronictargetingsystem,andhelmet-mounteddisplay,thecompanysaid.

Therewillanewservicecontractandaprognosisanddiagnosticaidsystemintendedtodeliverapredictivecapability.

MaintenancewilldrawontheuseofBigDataandartificialintelligence.

AnewcontrolunitfortheM88enginewillbefitted.

TheSpectraelectronicwarfaresystemandTaliostargetingpodwillbeboosted,theministrysaid.

TheDirectionGénéraledel’Armement(DGA),JointChiefsofstaffandtheservicewing—Directiondelamaintenanceaéronautique(DMAé)–workedtogethertodrawuptheF4requirement,seenasessentialtomaintainFrenchcapabilitywiththeintroductioninEuropeoftheF-35jointstrikefighter.

FrancesignedadevelopmentcontractwithMBDAfortheMicaNG,thecompanysaidNov.11,2018.

Theweaponsisintendedtohavegreaterrangeandsensitivityinsensors,withlowerservicecost.

Firstdeliveryisduein2026.