Towards a European solution on Precision Guided Ammunition

Brussels - 10 October 2011 EDA News

Defence Ministers have acknowledged the importance of maintaining a strong EDTIB in Europe. The EDTIB Strategy describes the vision for the future size and shape of the EDTIB. One element of this Strategy is the need to determine which key industrial capabilities must be preserved or developed in Europe. Member States decided to use the ammunition sector as a pilot area to be addressed from both the demand and the supply side.

Ammunition is a cross-cutting sector for European armed forces: it affects the performance of platforms, and interoperability in the field. Procurement decisions influence security of supply and thus affect the operational sovereignty of Member States. The ammunition sector is sensitive; testing and procedures for the qualification of ammunition are main cost drivers.

Currently, ammunition is also a promising candidate for pooling & sharing activities including possibilities for the use of modern, effective procurement methods such as collaborative procurement.

Precision and Guidance on ammunition is an identified area of strategic importance, both from the military capabilities perspective and from the technological and industrial perspective, playing a key role for a sustainable ammunition related EDTIB.

In December 2010, the European Defence Agency (EDA) signed a 12 month study contract. The objective of this study is to provide an achievable step-by-step plan to develop a more robust, sustainable and competitive European defence ammunition industry, able to provide the military capabilities that Member States require. This contract sets out work on the:

    * identification of capabilities requirements on Precision Engagement, focusing on Precision Guided Ammunition;

    * mapping of the current Global and European technological and industrial situation, assessing Europe’s strengths and weaknesses;

    * identification of existing gaps;

    * provision of a roadmap and an implementation plan identifying priority measures to be taken with special focus on key technologies and key industrial capabilities to be preserved or developed; and the

    * identification of pilot cooperative programmes and areas of priority for investment.

Results of the study are expected to be a significant factor in developing harmonised capabilities requirements, achieving strong stakeholder consensus, improving European collaboration, and achieving economies of scale.

Nine months after contract signature, the study has already identified common areas for the future operational use of Precision Guided Ammunition shared by Member States. It has also identified critical technologies and industrial capabilities that need to be preserved, non-EU dependencies and regulatory/qualification issues.

In the forthcoming months the study, under the close monitoring of EDA, and in consultation with Member States, will enter its final phase: the development of a detailed roadmap and implementation plan. This plan will include concrete and prioritised collaborative actions for a European solution on Precision Guided Ammunition, while safeguarding in parallel critical industrial capabilities to meet the future operational requirements of the European armed forces.