Berlin, 24 April 2018 – CP Thales Group

Four European Champions in the area of Defence Mission Systems intend to combine their unique and complementary capabilities to provide the MALE (Medium Altitude, Long Endurance) drone programme of France, Germany, Italy and Spain – designated European MALE RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aircraft System) – with a future-proof ISTAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance) function.

The companies Elettronica, Hensoldt, Indra and Thales signed a memorandum of agreement, in compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, confirming their common goal to offer a coherent ISTAR functional chain for the MALE RPAS comprising all elements from sensors and computing through data processing and communications. The team is open to cooperation with other companies.

The four companies will bring their longstanding experience and technology leadership in Defence electronics and mission systems into the joint approach, thereby substantially reducing the inherent risk of such challenging programme. This will safeguard the target-oriented implementation in time and cost while guaranteeing the growth potential required to address future tasks.

“The future operating environment of Air Forces will bring a variety of flying platforms into one force-multiplying network”, said Hensoldt-CEO Thomas Müller. “The close cooperation of the various platforms’ mission systems is paramount to leverage the advantage of such highly complex network. Therefore, the architecture of the new RPAS mission system must be in the hands of the subject-matter experts from the start, tailoring its development irrespective of single platform aspects.”

“Thales, Hensoldt, Elettronica and Indra, have big ambitions based on a shared vision of the digital transformation of their industries and customers. Thales will be using its expertise in Defence Mission Systems mastering four key digital technologies of Connectivity, Big Data, AI, and Cybersecurity. We offer our clients decisive technologies to take the best decision in real time.” said Patrice Caine, Chairman and CEO at Thales.

“We are building industrial cooperation in Europe and preparing for a future in which Defence investments will be mainly performed at European level. This alliance will pave the way for future large programmes currently being defined in Europe” said Ignacio Mataix, Executive Director at Indra.

“Our long term experience in collaboration programmes and our mindset will be beneficial in terms of risk reduction and full capability achievement. The teaming with our historical European partners will lead to a high level of success” said Enzo Benigni, Chairman and CEO of Elettronica.

The European MALE RPAS programme is managed by the European procurement agency OCCAR. A Definition Study contract was signed on 26 August 2016 with the European aircraft manufacturers Airbus Defence and Space, Dassault and Leonardo. The Development Phase is expected to be launched in 2019.

About Elettronica

Established in 1951, Elettronica has supplied electronic defence systems to the Armed Forces of 28 countries in five continents since its inception. The company designs, produces and fields a range of products that cover all aspects of Electronic Warfare: for naval, land, air and cyber environments and all Electronic Defence application segments in the radar bands, infrared and communications bands.

The company core business is concentrated on EW being active in international projects, the majority of which implemented through collaboration agreements and joint ventures, which ensure a direct presence in the various strategic markets.

The company is strongly projected into the future and responds to the significant changes in this sector, actively participating in major industrial European consortiums.

www.elettronicagroup.com

About Hensoldt

Hensoldt is a global pioneer of technology and innovation in the area of defence and security electronics. Headquartered in Munich, the company is a market leader in civilian and military sensor solutions, developing new products to counter evolving threats based on disruptive concepts in such fields as big data, robotics and cyber security. With a workforce of some 4,300 employees, Hensoldt generates revenues of more than 1 billion euros per year.

www.hensoldt.net

About Indra

Indra is a leading global consulting and technology company, and the technology partner for the core business operations of its clients' businesses throughout the world. It is one of the world's largest providers of proprietary solutions in specific segments of the Transport and Defense markets and a bellwether in Information Technology in Spain and Latin America. The company provides a comprehensive range of high added-value proprietary solutions and cutting-edge services in technology, and a singular culture of reliability, flexibility and adaptability to the needs of its customers. Indra is a world leader in developing end-to-end technology solutions in fields such as Defense and Security, Transport and Traffic, Energy and Industry, Telecommunications and Media, Financial Services, Electoral Processes, and Public Administrations and Healthcare. Its Minsait unit addresses the challenges posed by digital transformation. In 2017 Indra posted a revenue of €3.011 billion, employed 40,000 professionals, and had a local presence in 46 countries with sales operations in over 140 countries.

www.indracompany.com

About Thales

The people we all rely on to make the world go round – they rely on Thales.

Our customers come to us with big ambitions: to make life better, to keep us safer. Combining a unique diversity of expertise, talents and cultures, our architects design and deliver extraordinary high technology solutions. Solutions that make tomorrow possible, today. From the bottom of the oceans to the depth of space and cyberspace, we help our customers think smarter and act faster - mastering ever greater complexity and every decisive moment along the way. With 65,000 employees in 56 countries, Thales reported sales of €15.8 billion in 2017.

www.thalesgroup.com

Amsterdam, 7 February 2018 –  Airbus

Airbus SE has signed a Declaration of Intent (DoI) with the A400M Launch Customer Nations (Germany, France, United Kingdom, Spain, Turkey, Belgium, Luxemburg) defining the framework for achieving a mutually binding contract amendment later in the year.

Airbus, European defence agency OCCAR and the Customer Nations have agreed to work on a number of contractual elements including a revamped delivery plan as well as a roadmap for the development and completion of military capabilities for the A400M.

The DoI, finalised today, represents an important step towards reaching a contractually binding agreement with OCCAR and the Launch Customer Nations in 2018 to mitigate risks and to ensure the future of the programme. OCCAR is managing the A400M programme on behalf of the seven Launch Customer Nations.

This Declaration of Intent provides a new baseline on which to evaluate the A400M contract. An increase to the Loss Making Contract provision on the programme, which may be material, is under assessment for the Full Year 2017 results which will be disclosed on 15 February 2018. With a clear roadmap in place, the remaining exposure going forward would be more limited.

“This agreement with our customers is an important step to further mitigate risks remaining on the A400M programme. I thank the nations for their support in this complex effort and hope for their continued engagement until we sign a mutually beneficial contract amendment,” said Tom Enders, Chief Executive Officer of Airbus. “On this basis, Airbus remains committed to the A400M and to providing our customers’ air forces with the bestever military transport aircraft. However, since its inception in 2003, this programme has suffered not only from a number of operational issues but, more importantly, under a flawed contractual set-up and insufficient budget which resulted in significant losses for Airbus as prime contractor. We have a good chance to stop or at least reduce the bleeding now and deliver the capabilities our customers need.”

In February 2017, Airbus called upon the Launch Customer Nations to engage in discussions with respect to readjusting the contractual set-up of the A400M, one of Europe’s most important and largest joint defence collaboration programmes ever.

During a Ministerial conference on 30 March 2017 in Madrid, the Launch Customer Nations expressed their willingness to support such a dialogue and to enter into contract adjustment discussions with Airbus.

Since then, Airbus and OCCAR have set up a number of working groups assessing areas requiring adjustments such as delivery planning as well as the military capabilities development roadmap, the results of which have led to today’s DoI.

In view of the ongoing confidential discussions required to reach binding terms, both parties

have agreed to refrain from further comment.

About Airbus

Airbus is a global leader in aeronautics, space and related services. In 2016 it generated revenues of €67 billion and employed a workforce of around 134,000. Airbus offers the most comprehensive range of passenger airliners from 100 to more than 600 seats and business aviation products. Airbus is also a European leader providing tanker, combat, transport and mission aircraft, as well as one of the world’s leading space companies. In helicopters, Airbus provides the most efficient civil and military rotorcraft solutions worldwide.

18 décembre 2015. portail des Sous-Marins

La première étape permettant de garantir que les 4 sous-marins de la classe S-80 puissent flotter, est déjà terminée au chantier naval de Carthagène. Chaque sous-marin a été allongé de 10 m, afin de mieux répartir le poids du sous-marin et lui éviter de couler.

Un anneau de coque épaisse a été inséré dans la coque de chaque sous-marin. Il s’agit d’une étape nécessaire pour corriger les « écarts liés à l’équilibre des poids ».

Concrètement, la construction des sous-marins avait été suspendue au début 2013, lorsqu’il avait été constaté que le 1er sous-marin de la série, l’Isaac Peral, était trop lourd de 75 à 100 tonnes, compte-tenu de sa longueur.

Après avoir mis en pratique la solution proposée par des ingénieurs américains, Navantia va maintenant se concentrer sur les modifications à apporter aux autres parties du sous-marin.

Référence :La Verdad (Espagne)

09/12/2015 Sources : Armée de l'air

Mercredi 02 décembre 2015, le colonel Juan Pablo Sanchez de Lara, commandant l’Academia General del Aire, s’est rendue sur la base aérienne 701 de Salon-de-Provence.

Située sur la base aérienne de San Javier (Espagne), l’Academia General del Aire assure la formation des officiers de l’armée de l’air espagnole, mission également dévolue à l’École de l’air, son homologue française.

Cette visite s’inscrivait dans le cadre de la coopération bilatérale unissant les deux centres de formation. Les échanges actuels entre élèves-officiers français et espagnols ont été évoqués, tout comme la mise en œuvre de projets futurs.

Après une présentation du général Francis Pollet, commandant l’École de l’air et la base aérienne 701, le colonel Sanchez de Lara a visité les installations salonaises et a pu rencontrer des cadres et des élèves-officiers.

08/12/2015 Sources : Ministère de la Défense

Du 21 au 26 novembre 2015, l’État-major interarmées (EMIA) des Forces françaises stationnées à Djibouti (FFDj) a effectué un exercice de planification et de conduite d’une opération sur un scénario fictif de crise régionale.

Exercice annuel de rentrée des FFDj, Ambouli constitue une activité d’entraînement majeure pour l’EMIA dans sa version Poste de commandement interarmées (PCIA). L’édition 2015 avait pour thème l’engagement des FFDj dans une coalition dont la France était nation cadre. Déclenché à la demande d’un pays cherchant à recouvrer son intégrité territoriale, en vertu de nos accords de coopération en matière de défense, cet engagement fictif visait à valider les méthodes et procédures de travail collaboratif entre l’EMIA et les formations engagées par les FFDj pour la planification et la conduite de l’opération.

Cette année, Ambouli s’est concentré sur la partie PCIA sans déploiement de force (LIVEX), mais plusieurs représentants des nations alliées étaient présents au titre d’observateurs et/ou officiers de liaison (Djibouti, Espagne, Etats-Unis).

En conformité avec le traité de coopération de défense signé en 2011 avec la République de Djibouti, les FFDj constituent une base opérationnelle avancée en Afrique de l’Est. À ce titre, elles participent au dispositif militaire français prépositionné permettant de disposer d’un réservoir de forces pouvant être projetées rapidement en cas de crise. De plus, les forces françaises stationnées à Djibouti soutiennent l’armée Djiboutienne dans ses efforts pour renforcer ces capacités militaires en général, dont en particulier la capacité à participer aux opérations de maintien de la paix. Plusieurs fois par an, les FFDj contribuent ainsi à la formation de militaires africains dont les pays ont des accords bilatéraux avec la France.

11 November 2015 by Guy Martin - defenceWeb

The Spanish Air Force continues to support the European Union’s Operation Atalanta anti-piracy operation off the Horn of Africa, using CN235 and P-3 aircraft, with the CN235s accumulating 100 hours per month during these deployments.

First Lieutenant Alejandro Nemo of the Spanish Air Force’s 48 Wing (804 and 402 Squadrons) said his unit uses CN235 maritime patrol aircraft for this task, converted to D.4 standard with the Fully Integrated Tactical System (FITS). These aircraft feature a maritime radar, forward-looking infrared, electro-optical sensor and ship Automatic Identification System (AIS), among others. The radar can track the distance, bearing, and geographic position of up to 200 targets, including marine surface and airborne targets. Nemo said it is very helpful as the radar gives 360 degrees coverage.

The electro-optical turret carries a FLIR, colour camera and laser illuminator. Other equipment includes a digital camera with a 70-200 mm zoom lens, digital video recorder capable of recording up to 10 hours and a datalink/satellite communication system that can transmit and receive pictures, data and text.

The AIS system is used to monitor its mandatory use. Some vessel owners choose to switch the system off to avoid having to pick up refugees in the Mediterranean – international laws stipulate that they are required to assist refugee boats but some switch their systems off in order to avoid taking responsibility. If caught, vessels can be fined hundreds of thousands to millions of euros.

A search and rescue kit can be dropped to people in distress from the rear ramp of the CN235. The kits are made up of two rafts and three survival equipment containers tied together with a rope. Before being dropped, a flare is launched to determine wind direction and then the kit is dropped, although there are very few times this has actually been used in practice – a few times helicopters have been dispatched to assist stricken vessels.

Nemo said that Atalanta patrols are usually flown at around 2 000 feet above sea level, and at 140-150 knots, for best surveillance, but this does result in fairly high fuel burn. The minimum crew is two pilots, two sensor operators and two observers. Missions typically last 8-10 hours and cover 1 800 nautical miles. Operation Atalanta CN235s have flown some 1 525 flight hours during 179 sorties, with usually 100 hours being flown a month during 12-15 missions.

In addition to the standard Atalanta crew deployment of four pilots, three FITS operators, one tactical coordinator, two observers and two flight engineers, six ground mechanics are deployed to support the single CN235 D.4 deployed. Nemo said the environment is harsh on the aircraft, with salty, dirty, hot air requiring the aircraft to be washed after every flight.

The primary goal of Atalanta missions is to provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) in support of Atalanta vessels. This involves not only monitoring the Somali coast but also pirate bases. As the pirates are now targeting ships away from the heavily patrolled transit corridor in the Gulf of Aden, the CN235s are searching outside this area as well. Nemo noted that 20 000 ships pass through the Gulf of Aden a year, including 17 oil tankers a day, which carry 30% of Europe’s fuel.

Nemo noted that piracy has reduced from its high between 2008 and 2012 due to best practices by ship operators and the strong naval presence in the region. At the moment there is almost no pirate activity, he said, but noted that intelligence reports pirate activity moving elsewhere. As a result, the CN235s are increasingly being used for ground surveillance such as looking out for drug and people smuggling activities. If a ship is seen to be in trouble, the standard procedure is to orbit to avoid detection by the pirates, report activity and circle the area to report the position and heading of the vessels.

Although Atalanta continues, and the mission has been extended to the end of next year, 48 Wing is not currently deployed there. Instead, 801 Squadron is flying out of Djibouti at the moment. CN235s are usually deployed for two month periods, but every other year P-3 Orions take up the task.

Apart from Operation Atalanta, 48 Wing also took part in Operation Noble Centinela to stop illegal migrants in the Canary Islands. The aircraft flew 396 flight hours over 125 sorties. Another 389 flight hours were flown during 56 missions under Unified Protector around Libya. Operation Active Endeavour, ongoing in the Mediterranean, has seen the CN235s fly 350 flight hours over 55 sorties. Around five 9-10 hour long sorties are carried out a month.

3 nov. 2015 by NATO

Oct. 28, 2015 By Richard Tomkins (UPI)

Spanish, Dutch, U.S. Navies cooperate on Stand Missile 3 firing at forum event in Scotland.

FASLANE, Scotland-- The U.S. Navy reports it has performed the first at sea ballistic missile defense firing of a Standard Missile 3 in Europe. The firing this month took place during three weeks of at sea demonstrations by allied navies at the Maritime Theater Missile Defense Forum in Faslane, Scotland. The MTMD Forum, started in 1999, is to facilitate and improve interoperability and enhance individual and collective maritime integrated air and missile defense capabilities.

Read more

October 26, 2015 EUNAVFOR

On Friday 23 October 2015 the five warships that are currently deployed with Operation Atalanta off the coast of Somalia met at sea in the Gulf of Aden.

Operation Atalanta’s flagship, ITS Carabiniere, was joined by Spanish warships, ESPS Victoria and ESPS Meteoro, Dutch warship HNLMS Groningen, and German warship, FGS Erfurt. The ships came together in a close-formation and practiced close-quarter manoeuvres.

The Force Commander, Rear Admiral Barbieri, took the opportunity to visit HNLMS Groningen and ESPS Meteoro for the first time since taking command of the force at sea at the start of October.

Rear Admiral Barbieri addressed both ships saying: “This is an important time for Operation Atalanta; the improving weather in the region means pirates may find it easier to get out to sea, therefore we have to remain vigilant.  There is a lot of hard work ahead, but during my visit today you have shown me that you are ready for the challenges that the coming months will bring.”

19/10/2015 Sources : Etat-major des armées

Le 14 octobre 2015 au large du Sénégal, le BPC Mistral actuellement déployé en opération Corymbe, est rentré dans les eaux territoriales du Sénégal escorté par le patrouilleur espagnol Centinela.

Cette séquence entre les deux bâtiments illustre la collaboration maritime quadripartite renforcée entre le Portugal, l’Espagne, le Danemark et la France dans la région du Golfe de Guinée. Fin octobre, les deux bâtiments se retrouveront à nouveau pour un exercice à plus grande échelle regroupant les marines des pays riverains du Golfe de Guinée et la Royal Navy britannique.

La mission Corymbe est une mission de présence quasi-permanente depuis 1990 des forces armées françaises dans le golfe de Guinée. Elle vise deux objectifs majeurs : participer à la protection des intérêts français dans la zone et participer à la diminution de l’insécurité maritime, en aidant les marines riveraines à renforcer leurs capacités d’action dans les domaines de la sécurité et de la surveillance maritime.

Le BPC Mistral complète le dispositif français prépositionné en Afrique occidentale (Gabon, Côte d’Ivoire et Sénégal) et peut également apporter son soutien à d’autres opérations d’aide aux populations, de sécurisation ou d’évacuation de ressortissants.

"Le problème avec les drones, c'est que plus on en a, plus on en a besoin", selon l'ancien chef d'état-major de l'armée de l'air, le général Denis Mercier – crédits Dassault Aviation

15/10/2015 Par Michel Cabirol – LaTribune.fr

Sur le futur drone européen MALE, l'Allemagne devrait détenir 31% du programme. Les trois autres pays partenaires - la France, l'Italie et l'Espagne - auraient chacun 23%.

Les négociations sont allées bon train ces derniers mois sur le futur drone de surveillance et de reconnaissance de type MALE (Moyenne altitude, Longue endurance) européen entre l'Allemagne, la France, l'Italie et l'Espagne, un tout nouveau partenaire dans ce système de troisième génération. "Nous avons longuement discuté cet été avec l'Allemagne, qui souhaite être leader sur ce programme : elle aura une part d'un peu plus de 30 %, sachant qu'il existe trois autres coopérants ayant chacun 23 %, la France, l'Italie et l'Espagne", a expliqué le 7 octobre le Délégué général pour l'armement, Laurent Collet-Billon devant les députés de la commission de la défense de l'Assemblée nationale.

3 Octobre 2015 T. Mourad – Libe.ma

Le Royaume en pourparlers avec l’Espagne, les Etats-Unis et la France pour la création d’usines mixtes

Une étude réalisée par l’entreprise américaine Frost and Sullivan a estimé que le Royaume est considéré comme l’un des cinq pays (Colombie, Koweït, Malaisie, Singapour et Maroc) où l’industrie de défense émergera au cours de la prochaine décennie.

La même étude relayée par l’agence espagnole EFE a précisé que, vu les dangers grandissants dans la région et notamment le terrorisme jihadiste, les dépenses militaires du Royaume croîtront de 3,6 % durant les 10 prochaines années. Et de prévoir que les budgets de défense du Maroc et des quatre pays de référence passeront de 38,73 billions de dollars en 2015 à 55,51 billions de dollars en 2025, soit une croissance annuelle de 3,7 %.

« Contrairement aux principales économies émergentes comme l’Inde, la Corée du Sud, la Turquie, les Emirats arabes unis et le Brésil, les cinq pays sélectionnés pour cette étude tentent de développer une base industrielle locale et de diminuer le recours à l'équipement étranger », a souligné l’étude américaine.

Dans ce sens, le Maroc mène des négociations avec les Etats-Unis, la France et l’Espagne pour mettre en place une industrie locale d’armement par la création d’entreprises mixtes, d’après EFE.

Il y a quelques semaines, le site web «Infodefensa.com» avait publié une déclaration du directeur général de l’armement et du matériel de l’armée espagnole, le général de corps d’armée Juan Manuel Garcia Montana, en marge du dernier salon de l’armement DSEI 2015 à Londres, soulignant que «le Maroc a officiellement demandé aux autorités militaires espagnoles de participer à la création d’une industrie militaire locale, avec l’aide des entreprises ibériques opérant dans l’industrie de l’armement».

« Le Royaume veut suivre l’exemple de son voisin et rival l’Algérie qui a conclu d’importants accords militaires avec des entreprises allemandes », a souligné EFE en rappelant l’accord signé entre les deux pays pour un montant de 2,7 milliards de dollars avec le géant de l’industrie militaire allemande, Rheinmetall, pour l’installation d’une usine de fabrication de blindés près de Constantine qui  permettra de produire un millier d’unités de transport de troupes Fuchs2. Par ailleurs, « Alger s’est engagé à ne pas vendre à un Etat tiers les 120 chars qui sortiront annuellement de sa future usine vu que Berlin ne vend pas de matériel de guerre à des pays tiers », a souligné la presse algérienne.

Il convient de souligner que le Maroc a signé un contrat de 358 millions de dollars avec la société américaine spécialisée dans la fabrication de véhicules blindés « General Dynamics Land Systems » pour la livraison en 2018 de 150 chars « M1A1 Abrams » complètement rénovés. Une rénovation s’effectuera dans les locaux de Joint Systems Manufacturing Center (JSMC), entreprise publique, appartenant au ministère de la Défense, située dans la ville de Lima dans l’Etat de l’Ohio.