UE Military

FP7 to Play Essential Role in EU Security Strategy, Says Verheugen


Source: European Commission


" The development of an EU strategy for collective security requires a competitive defence industry and innovative, technologically advanced security solutions, the EU Commissioner for Enterprise and Industry, Günter Verheugen has said.

Speaking on the new defence agenda in Brussels on 3 February, Mr Verheugen said the programme on security research to be established within the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) will help meet those challenges.

“We increasingly need high-tech security solutions developed from civil technologies and applications,” stated the Commissioner. “In this regard, the Preparatory Action for Security Research is paving the way for a future large scale programme on security research under the umbrella of the 7th R&D [Research and Development] framework programme,” he added.

According to the Commissioner, the new fight against terrorism, which has become a priority for all Member States, requires a comprehensive strategy covering a wide range of measures, including supporting the industrial base necessary to provide adequate security systems, military equipment and civil crisis management capabilities.

The security industry has traditionally been excluded from the benefits of EU policies, said Mr Verheugen. But the Commission is confident that the new European Defence Agency will help strengthen the competitiveness of the industry in Europe.

Space programmes will also contribute to security, said Mr Verheugen, in particular the European capacity for Global Monitoring of Environment and Security - the GMES programme. It is hoped GMES, to be established in 2008, will contribute considerably to securing the provision of information needed to avert threats and respond to crises.

“Finally,” said Mr Verheugen, “the exploitation of civil-military synergies is a key priority within this new security context. Europe needs increased research and development investments not only in defence and security, but also in civil technologies, which can lead to further security applications. The European defence industry landscape proves that diversification and the exploitation of the synergies of dual-use technologies are now the rule.”

The Commissioner insisted it is up to businesses to decide to invest in R&D, to train their workers and develop new products. The Commission is currently carrying out an impact assessment study to create a pro-business framework in this field, he added.

Although the EU can never hope to match the US defence budget, Europe should be more determined to make the most out of the funds that are available to develop the capacities and technologies it needs, believes Mr Verheugen.

“That requires greater coordination and an increased focus on R&D in European defence budgets. The transatlantic financing gap will remain, but that should spur Europe to act quickly in order to limit the current fragmentation and duplication. Europe's security ambitions compel us to achieve the highest technological levels by building on European centres of excellence, wherever they are to be found,” stated Mr Verheugen. "


Iama

Rice, EU Leaders Clash over China Arms Embargo


Source: Voice of America news


" LUXEMBOURG --- The U.S. relationship with Europe, strained by the Bush administration's decision to invade Iraq two years ago, has improved of lately, amid successful elections in Iraq and some progress in Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking.

However, Ms. Rice's talks in Europe, on her first overseas mission as Secretary of State, apparently yielded no progress on the ongoing dispute between the United States and the EU over arms sales to China.

The European Union imposed the sanction in the wake of China's 1989 military crackdown in Beijing's Tiananmen Square that is believed to have left hundreds of people dead and thousands imprisoned.
EU officials last month announced agreement in principle to lift the embargo within six months, with the intention of replacing it with a code of conduct restricting the kinds of weapons systems that might be sold.

The Bush administration opposes the move and urges the EU to reconsider.

At a Brussels news conference Thursday after talks with senior EU officials, Secretary of State Rice said human rights concerns that spurred the embargo remain, including, she said, the continued detention of 2,000 Tiananmen-era demonstrators.

"We continue to believe that the human rights concerns need to be taken into consideration in any decision that was tied to Tiananmen and now would be reversed, when in fact the elements of Tiananmen have not been resolved, the 2,000 prisoners," she said. "Also we've made clear our concerns about the military balance, the fact there are still American forces in that region, and about the need to be concerned about the transfer of technology that might endanger in some way that very delicate military balance."

Ms. Rice said she believed the Europeans were listening to and understood U.S. concerns about lifting the embargo, and said was led to believe that a final decision had not been made.

Appearing with Ms. Rice, however, the European Union Commission President, Jose Manuel Barroso of Spain, indicated that the EU had not budged on the issue, insisting that the proposed code of conduct should be an adequate safeguard.

"As you know, the European Union is moving to lift the arms embargo. We understand the United States' sensitivities in this regard. But the European Union cannot be accused of rushing into this," said Mr. Barroso. "We agree with the United States that none of us has any interest in substantially increasing the quantity and quality of the weaponry in Southeast Asia. We are working to insure that the code of conduct is designed to take account of this."

The Secretary of State said despite embargo issue, the United States and European Union have a common view overall on China and want to see that country, which she said is undergoing a remarkable and rapid economic transition, become a positive factor in international politics and the world economy:

"We are not in disagreement about China, that China should try much, much harder to take the lesson that has been there for so many, that economic liberalization and political liberalization need to go hand-in-hand," said Ms. Rice. "That is why human rights is a concern not just for the United States but for the European Union. Religious freedom is a concern not just for the United States but for the European Union."

Ms. Rice said both the United States and EU engage with, and have good relations with China and support its membership in the World Trade Organization. But she said they also want China to live up to commitments made for its WTO accession, including respect for intellectual property rights. "

Iama

France’s Délégation Générale pour l’Armement Grants its Acceptance to the First EC 725


Source: Eurocopter


"MARIGNANE, France --- The acceptance by the French “Délégation Générale pour l’Armement” (DGA) of the first EC 725 happened on Thursday February 10th 2005. This EC725 is dedicated to C-SAR missions for the French Air force.

The follow-on deliveries spread out over 2005 and 2006. The latest newcomer to the Cougar range benefits not only from the operating experience of its predecessors, but also from major technical upgrades.

The French Air Force - the EC 725 launch customer – will operate six of these helicopters to perform Combat Search And Rescue (CSAR) missions and eight of these aircraft will be operated by the Special Operations Detachment of the French Army Air Corps.

The EC 725 is the latest member of the Cougar family. This aircraft has benefited both from the experience of its predecessors and from important technical improvements. The EC 725 was designed to perform SAR, Combat SAR, long distance tactical transport missions, and also medical transport and logistical services. It can also be used for naval missions.

The EC 725 made its maiden flight in November 2000. It is a medium-class twin-engine helicopter (in the 11 metric ton class), whose performance capabilities have been noticeably increased.

It obtained its qualification from the aeronautical department of the DGA on 23 December 2004.

The military payload of this new version will be substantially increased in comparison with the Cougar MK1 version. Notable new features of the EC 725 include an entirely new main rotor head, a reinforced main gearbox, new engines, and a new integrated piloting and display system. Eurocopter selected the Cougar Mk2 fuselage structure for the EC 725 because of its excellent operational qualities already proven in service and its large selection of available options and equipment.

The EC 725 uses the proven capabilities of the Spheriflex technology for the main and tail rotor heads. This technology also cuts costs for operations and maintenance. With five blades, the main rotor benefits from the most recent advances in airfoil section development and aerodynamic performance. Their design is based on a spar made from composite materials. The blades also make use of multiple box-structures in their construction. With five blades, the aircraft has an especially low vibration level.

The main rotor diameter is 16.2 meters. The rotors and the horizontal stabilizer can be equipped with a deicing/anti-icing system that makes it possible to fly in extremely severe icing conditions.

The main gear box of the EC 725 has been reinforced in order to account for the aircraft's increased turbine power and gross weight. The drive chain of the Mk2 has been kept, and the spiral bevel gears feature deep nitriding technology and the latest optimization of tooth profiles. The lubrication circuit includes a back-up spraying system that makes it possible to operate without oil for 30 minutes.

The EC 725 is equipped with 2 Makila 2A turbo engine units. This new engine, developed by the company Turbomeca, includes a new-generation compressor and can operate at a higher temperature than its predecessor, the Makila 1A2. It is thus capable of generating 1,800 kW (2 448 ch, 2 413 shp) of contingency power, an increase of 14% over the previous version.

The dual-channel FADEC system and the "blade shedding" architecture of the free turbine provide modern, reliable, and safe operating capacities. Each engine is a self-contained assembly with all the necessary systems, equipment, and accessories for its operations. The fact that the engines are modular makes maintenance and inspection much easier.

The EC 725 is equipped with new avionics, the result of Eurocopter's extensive experience in pilot-helicopter interface technology and the development of ergonomic features.

The Flight Display System makes use of LCD with four multi-function screens (6” x 8”) and two additional screens (4” x 5”) for the helicopter parameters. These screens provide the operator with a simultaneous display for piloting, navigation, and mission parameters. Their modular design means that many different configurations are possible. Computers integrate all flight, navigation, and tactical parameters. With this integrated system, the pilot and copilot can concentrate on external mission features instead of on the aircraft functioning, which means their mission has a much higher probability of success.

The military version will offer the possibility of airborne refueling, which will increase the helicopter's flight range.

To date 22 aircraft of the EC 725/225 family have already been ordered and more than 650 helicopters from the Super Puma/EC 225-Cougar/EC 725 family have been ordered by 85 customers in 47 countries.

The delivery of the first civil EC 225 occurred in December 2004. This aircraft was in a VIP configuration.

Eurocopter is a wholly owned subsidiary of EADS. EADS is a global company specializing in the aerospace and defence sectors and related services. In 2003, EADS generated revenues of EUR 30.1 billion, and employed a workforce of over 109,000. EADS includes the aircraft manufacturer Airbus; Eurocopter, the world's largest helicopter manufacturer; and joint venture MBDA, the world's second largest missile company. EADS is also the biggest partner in the Eurofighter consortium and is developing the A400M military transport aircraft. EADS is the lead industrial partner in the European Galileo programme for satellite-based navigation. "

Iama

*little of-topic

From time to time i say something linked with a future UE military force. I opened this topic for discution about this fact. Will be good, or bad? Certainly will be happened. Maybe will be a NATO alternative. Some steps predicts the way...


European UAV Industry Consultation Body is Officially Constituted (edited for space)


Source: UVS International


" PARIS, France --- On January 17, 2005, at a meeting held in Brussels, Belgium, the extended terms of reference of the European UAV Industry Consultation Body (Euro UAV ICB), which had been officially signed on January 14, 2005, were exchanged by the representatives of the 19 companies and organisations constituting this new organisation, namely:

--ADSE, The Netherlands
--Boeing R&T Europe, Spain
--Dassault Aviation, France
--Diehl BGT Defence, Germany
--EADS DS, France
--EADS Deutschland GmbH
--Galileo Avionica, Italy
--QinetiQ, UK
--Saab AB, Sweden
--Sagem, France
--Sinovia, France
--S2-ATM Limited, UK
--Fokker Services, The Netherlands
--Thales Airborne Systems, France
--Thales Avionics, France
--Thales Defence Limited, UK
--Ultra Electronics Limited, UK
--UAV DACH (Observer)
--UVS International (Observer)


Subsequently, the Euro UAV ICB had it first official meeting. At this meeting, the Euro UAV ICB Steering Committee, consisting of one representative from each of the aforementioned companies, was constituted;
UAV DACH and UVS International are participating as Observers.

In addition, the Euro UAV ICB Steering Committee nominated the following persons for the indicated functions:

--Chairman Jean-Louis Roch; Thales Avionics France

--?Deputy Chairman Walter Mancini; Galileo Avionica Italy

--?Secretary Torbjorn Rehn; TRC AB (for Saab) Sweden

--Deputy Secretary Gérard Mardine; Sagem France


Within this context, UAV DACH, the German language UAV working group, represents the following companies: Autoflug, Germany; EADS Deutschland, Germany; ESG, Germany; IABG, Germany; Rheinmetall Defence Electronics, Germany; RUAG Aerospace, Switzerland; Stemme UMS, Germany.

The vision of the Euro UAV ICB is that operators of qualified civil, commercial and military unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems can fly their unmanned aircraft routinely, safely and reliably in non-segregated European airspace.

The Euro UAV ICB mission has two principal axis:

--?To become the preferred European industry focal point for all European authorities (civil & military);

--?To take a pro-active European industry position concerning the development of recommendations relative to requirements and procedures that will be necessary to make the vision reality.


The scope of the Euro UAV ICB mission is dual:

1. Elaborate recommendations relative to requirements & procedures which will include, but will not be limited to:
-- Airworthiness and System worthiness;
-- System Certification of aeronautical products;
-- Safety & Security;
-- Flying Operations;
-- Maintenance & other post certification matters;
-- Training;
-- Communication, Navigation & Surveillance (CNS) and Air Traffic Management (ATM);
-- Aerodrome interface;
-- Legal Considerations.

2. Federate the expertise, pool the resources, and coordinate the corporate lobbying efforts of the participating corporate entities within an agreed amount of resources. "


Iama

The commisioner is getting lost in newspeak. What he really means is that the new priority dictated by current conflicts is to field mobile light forces waging low/medium intensity unconventional, guerrilla warfare. That may include enemies using terrorism as a method to pursue political goals. A neat departure from the current MBT heavy EU armies.

This post has been edited by Chandernagore on March 08, 2005 01:37 am

Not so U, but E... Defence Markets in our region. An interesting article with our nieghbors.

Conference Provides Much-needed Insight into Central & Eastern European Defence Markets


Source: Frost & Sullivan


"Integrating Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary into NATO has proven a greater challenge to Ministries of Defence than originally expected, concluded delegates at SMi's inaugural Warsaw conference on NATO enlargement.

With high-value procurements in 1999-2001 sapping much-needed force transform resources to meet post-9/11 operational requirements, restructuring and modernisation will require a great deal of patience and savvy financial management.

Laying out NATO's concerns for the region, Frank Boland, Director of Force Planning for the Alliance, emphasised language training, military education, command & control (C2) and infrastructure as key concerns going forward. While defence spending priorities currently focus on the formation of light aeromobile infantry forces, the glaring need for BMP and BRDM replacements barely eclipsed the lack of serviceable rotorcraft at any significant force level.

It is tempting to add defence sector privatisation and the elimination of exorbitant offset requirements to the list of obstacles to effective transformation. Although this is widely considered a black hole in government spending, patient foreign investors will find the silver lining in a highly-skilled workforce with lower wage-demands than other European countries and a strategic position within the EU Common Market.

Although the enlargement experience and lessons learned differ across national lines, defence budgetary and procurement priorities remain largely the same. Strategically, the Czech Republic and Hungary are looking to develop niche capability (the Czech Republic in CBRN Defence and Hungary in combat engineering and bridge-laying), while Poland is looking to develop a more autonomous posture to enable it to effectively staff, command and soldier a German-Polish EU Battle Group.

At the force level, however, modernising rotorcraft, armoured infantry fighting vehicles and upgrading existing ISTAR capability are pressing capability requirements. This is only complicated more by the fact that East European militaries are bound hand and foot to a rusting defence industry.

There is hope, however, maintains Alon Redlich, president of International Technology Sourcing While Eastern Europe's defence industries show many structural weaknesses, US and international arms manufacturers would be wise to exploit these opportunities to bridge cost-sensitive North American boards and the EU market. Using the privatisation of WSK-Rzeszow as an example of successful industrial partnering in Poland, Mr. Redlich pointed out the wisdom of investing in the Rzeszow plant: the EU now has a ‘domestic' source for F-16 F-100 engines.

Such foresight is also shown by Patria Oy's partnership with the Polish Army for its KTO Rosomak armoured vehicle programme. By investing in the WZM-Siemanowice Slaskie plant, Patria Polska has partnered with the Government of Poland to create a long-term revenue stream that capitalises on the low-cost, high-quality work force at WZM-Siemanowice Slaskie and fulfils the government's offset requirements by investing much needed euros in an otherwise failing business.

Nevertheless, the region's growth potential over the next five years is significantly limited. Painful financial strictures associated with post-Soviet reforms and EU entry are aggravated by the dollar through-life cost of expensive NATO entry prestige projects.

Both the Czech Republic and Hungary bought numbers of Saab Gripens, only to experience a dramatic shift in force planning and operational strategy in the wake of 9/11. Poland's KTO programme represents a $5B investment in armoured warfare at a time when it's Mil-24 fleet is being divested to the Iraqi Armed Forces and uptake of F-16 Block 52 C/D's is choking the Air Force's budget. Although these markets represent strong growth and co-evolution prospects in the 2009-2014 timeframe, neither uptake of new equipment nor systems are likely until more funds are available to procurement officials. Furthermore, as Rheinmetall Landsysteme's Dieter Hanel pointed out, industrial offset requirements surpassing 100% close competition to all but the strongest offers.

Industry would, however, be advised to continue their inroads into the Polish, Czech and Hungarian markets, as the combination of a highly-qualified workforce, low labour costs and EU membership make this a highly desirable region in which to invest for growth. Although the Czech Republic's VOP 025 and 026 maintain a strong presence in the T-72 MRO market, BUMAR-Labedy has scored successes with its PT-91 MBT, and PZL-Swidnik W-3 helicopters are being sold to the Iraq Armed Forces, this overlooks longer-term weak points like PZL-Mielec, Aero Vodohody and PZL-Lucznik.

What firms really want is industrial partnership and technology transfer, taking as one successful example, Patria's Rosomak. With defence consolidation continuing across in Eastern Europe, strong potential exists for foreign (especially non-EU) investors in the component manufacture, military MRO and land-based communications markets as the region offers cheaper, equally proficient workforces and a unique strategic position within the EU Common Market. "


Iama

SBAC’S Response to Commons Committee Report on Strategic Export Controls


Source: Society of British Aerospace Companies;


" The Society of British Aerospace Companies welcomes the Quadripartite Committee’s determination to resolve EU confusion on defence exports to China.

Derek Marshall, SBAC’s Director of Defence Aerospace, commented:

“The Committee’s report demonstrates the need for the EU to fundamentally rethink its position on export controls to China. This issue runs deeper than the latest embargo debate: the EU code of conduct and the China embargo itself are implemented differently across member states in the European Union. Additionally, UK industry believes there are major differences in the handling of applications for controlled exports to China in different EU nations and would like to see the situation rationalised.

“A more joined up, coherent EU approach to China exports would promote much greater confidence in industry on what export opportunities it can pursue, provide a fairer system for all EU companies as well as giving the US and other nations a clearer statement of policy on control of EU exports.

“The priority as far as UK industry is concerned is to ensure that the strong UK-US defence industrial relationship is not damaged through confusion on policy in the EU and an apparent lack of sensitivity to US concerns.

“The UK has a very effective set of national export controls, comparable with those of the USA. These were specifically tightened in 2004 to tackle technology transfer, and have operated effectively alongside US controls for many years. More should be done to make this clear to the US authorities and Congress.

“SBAC is also concerned about the potential impact of cuts in the staff and budget of the Export Control Organisation and believes this is likely to cause increased delays and uncertainty in processing licence applications. The export licensing system has increased its efficiency in recent years, but the cuts could mean a significant setback. Maintaining an efficient export regime is essential to both the confidence and competitiveness of UK industry. It is also crucial to reassure allied countries that may wish to increase technology transfer to the UK.”

The SBAC is the national trade association representing suppliers to the civil air transport, aerospace defence and space markets operating in the UK economy. It assists member companies in developing new business globally, facilitates innovation and competitiveness and provides regulatory services in technical standards and accreditation.

At present, the UK has the world’s second largest aerospace industry. UK based aerospace activity had a turnover of more than £17bn in 2003, providing employment for a highly skilled workforce of over 120,000 people.

The Quadripartite Committee consists of four Committees (Defence, Foreign Affairs, International Development and Trade and Industry). "


How about this embargo for weapons exports to China? I read manny articles in this days, and i see a thing: it hads holes! France, Germany, Italy, ... , USA..
Why, they voted the embargo, if is not respected? The Big Boys rule?

Iama