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9 juin 2015 2 09 /06 /juin /2015 17:50
European defence-industrial cooperation: from Keynes to Clausewitz


02 Jun 2015 by Daniel Fiott - Global Affairs
 

The European Union is still far from having a consolidated defence market but the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB) has emerged as a policy framework through which to liberalize and regulate defence markets, protect and sustain jobs and to improve the interoperability of Europe's armed forces; all at the EU level. This article argues that a purely economic rationale for defence-industrial cooperation is being reformulated to include also questions of strategic relevance. Indeed, by charting the transition from a past policy framework called the European Defence Equipment Market (EDEM) to the EDTIB, the article examines the European Commission's role as a key driver in this policy evolution. This article shows how the European Commission is using dual-use technologies to increase its policy relevance in the defence-industrial policy milieu, but it also reaffirms the enduring role of the member states and the importance of national interests.

 

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3 juin 2015 3 03 /06 /juin /2015 11:50
EDA and Italy discuss defence cooperation

EDA Chief Executive Jorge Domecq (right) with the Italian Secretary General of Defence and National Armaments Director, Lt. Gen. Enzo Stefanini. Photo Italian Ministry of Defence.

 

Rome - 03 June, 2015 European Defence Agency

 

On 13 May, Jorge Domecq, EDA Chief Executive, met with Roberta Pinotti, the Italian Minister of Defence, to exchange views on the preparation of the European Council in June 2015 and Italy’s participation in EDA projects. 

 

“The visit to Rome allowed for numerous interesting and forward looking discussions. We touched upon Italy’s involvement in EDA’s key capability programmes on Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems and cyber defence as well as the update of the European security strategy. Another important topic was the Agency’s project on maritime surveillance (MARSUR). I also assured Minister Pinotti of the Agency’s willingness to provide operational support for a possible CSDP mission in the southern central Mediterranean”, Jorge Domecq said in Rome. 

The visit in Italy also allowed for meetings with other high-ranking officials of the Ministry of Defence, the Chief of Defence, the President of the Defence Committee in the Italian Senate and the CEO of Finmeccanica. It is part of a series of visits by Mr. Domecq to all EDA Member States following his appointment as EDA Chief Executive. 

 

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30 mai 2015 6 30 /05 /mai /2015 11:50
Et si l'Europe de la Défense passait par des décisions très pragmatiques

Le Tigre est le résultat d'une coopération européenne entre l'Allemagne, la France et l'Espagne - (Tiger HAD - EC665 photo Airbus HC)

 

28/05/2015 Michel Cabirol – LaTribune.fr

 

Pour construire l’Europe de la Défense, pourquoi ne pas être simplement pragmatique en réalisant une harmonisation des besoins capacitaires des principales armées européennes et des calendriers?

 

Une simple harmonisation des besoins capacitaires et des calendriers de mise en service des équipements militaires des armées européennes serait déjà un petit pas vers le grand objectif d'une Europe de la défense, dont il faut le rappeler aucun pays européen ne veut, à l'exception notoire de la France. A défaut d'une mobilisation au niveau politique, l'Europe de la défense pourrait paradoxalement prendre un peu de consistance grâce aux contraintes budgétaires qui pèsent sur la plupart des budgets militaires des pays de l'Union européenne, qui avaient pourtant pris l'engagement au sommet de l'Otan à Newport de consacrer 2% du PIB aux dépenses de défense.

"Si les difficultés budgétaires des États font peser des contraintes lourdes sur leurs budgets militaires, elles ont toutefois pour effet de les inciter plus que jamais à mutualiser leurs efforts au niveau européen, expliquait la députée PS de Gironde Marie Récalde dans un rapport consacré à la relance de l'Europe de la défense. La crise pourrait ainsi être le catalyseur de la construction d'une véritable Europe de la défense". Mais jusqu'ici, cette vision très pragmatique de l'Europe de la défense ne s'est pas vraiment réalisée. Ou à la marge. Les budgets de l'Agence européenne de la défense (AED) et de l'Occar, un organisme intergouvernemental qui gère certains programmes européens (A400M, Tigre, frégates FREMM...), n'ont pas été augmentés de façon significative.

 

Comment faire ?

L'Europe dispose déjà de deux "outils institutionnels solides", comme le souligne le directeur de la Fondation pour la recherche stratégique (FRS), Camille Grand, pour renforcer les coopérations capacitaires, et donc à même de mieux utiliser l'argent public qui fait aujourd'hui défaut aux armées. Pour Marie Récalde, l'AED est la mieux placée pour "coordonner et établir les priorités des besoins futurs en matière de capacités civiles et militaires". Un exercice de priorisation, qui permettrait de garantir "la cohérence capacitaire des États de l'Union tout en étant légitime et pragmatique", selon la députée de Gironde. En outre, l'AED devrait être capable de développer des équipements avec une communalité très poussée pour les armées membres, ce qui limiterait les spécifications coûteuses exigées par chacune d'elles.

Cette démarche pourrait être également un facteur de la consolidation des industries de défense. Il existe par exemple en Europe six grands chantiers européens capables de fabriquer des sous-marins et/ou de très grands bâtiments de surface : le britannique BAE Systems, le néerlandais Damen, le français DCNS, l'italien Fincantieri, l'espagnol Navantia et l'allemand TKMS. Voire le suédois Kockums, qui a repris sa liberté après avoir été contrôlé par TKMS. Trop, beaucoup trop. Pour autant, a contrario MBDA réunit déjà quasiment toute l'industrie missilière européenne.

 

Vers un char franco-allemand

Enfin, dans l'armement terrestre, le processus de rapprochement entre Nexter et Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW), qui devrait aller sans aucun doute à son terme, est également un nouveau pas vers la consolidation du secteur... et de l'harmonisation des besoins capacitaires. Comme l'a expliqué en début d'année à la commission de la défense de l'Assemblée nationale, le PDG de KMW, Frank Haun, "dans cinq ans, nous aurons avancé dans le processus de développement d'un nouveau char lourd - qu'il s'appelle Léopard 3 ou Léoclerc, peu importe : il sera développé en commun, et pourra commencer à équiper nos forces à l'horizon 2025-2030 pour remplacer les chars Leclerc et Léopard 2".

S'il se concrétisait, ce programme aurait une forte valeur symbolique dans l'harmonisation des besoins capacitaires entre l'Allemagne et la France. Ce qui serait déjà un pas de géant pour une Europe de la défense, dont le moteur a été longtemps la coopération entre Berlin et Paris. Une relation qui s'est étiolée avec le temps alors même que les deux capitales ont créé un géant de l'aéronautique et de la défense, Airbus Group (ex-EADS). Enfin, la volonté récemment exprimée de fabriquer à trois pays (Allemagne, France et Italie) un drone MALE de troisième génération "Made in Europe", si elle se confirme, sera également un bon test pour aller vers cette Europe de la défense pragmatique.

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21 mai 2015 4 21 /05 /mai /2015 18:50
2015 EDA-Egmont PhD prize awarded

 

Brussels - 20 May, 2015 European Defence Agency

 

The European Defence Agency and the Egmont Institute are proud to announce that the 2015 EDA-Egmont PhD prize has been awarded to Mr. Andrea Gilli for his research work on armaments cooperation.

 

The EDA-Egmont PhD prize was created in 2013 to stimulate research in the field of European defence, security and strategy. The prize rewards research work undertaken as part of a PhD thesis carried out at a recognised academic institution.

The 2015 was awarded to Andrea Gilli, Post-doctoral Fellow, Center for Security Studies, Metropolitan University Prague, for his thesis entitled “Unipolarity, Technological Change and Arms Manufacturing: Industrial Alliances in the European Defense Industry”.

Tackling the issue of armaments cooperation, which is not just highly political but also very technical, takes daring on the part of a young PhD candidate – Andrea Gilli has succeeded brilliantly”, Prof Sven Biscop of Egmont, Jury Chair, underlines. “His dissertation is most enlightening and very readable, for academics and practitioners alike. Unlike many dissertations about European topics, Gilli does not attempt to bring a good news show. Instead he demonstrates why armaments cooperation is most difficult where intuitively one would expect it to be most evident. From that dour lesson, policy implications can be drawn and a way for the future charted. A well-earned doctorate, to which the jury unanimously added the 2nd EDA-Egmont Prize”.

Eight thesis were submitted for the EDA-Egmont Prize. The award jury, chaired by Prof Sven Biscop, was composed of Mr. Jorge Domecq, EDA Chief Executive; General Patrick de Rousiers, EU Military Committee Chairman; Dr Antonio Missiroli, EUISS Director; Prof Jolyon Howorth, University of Bath / Yale University; Dr Hilmar Linnenkamp, Adviser SWP; and Prof Richard Whitman, University of Kent.

The EDA-Egmont PhD prize is meant to boost innovative research in the field of European defence and security”, EDA Chief Executive Jorge Domecq stresses. “This year’s winner will not only be awarded a €2000 grant but will also have the opportunity to share his views with high-level executives during the upcoming EDA Annual Conference on 16 November, effectively bridging the gap between research and European policy-making mechanisms”, he adds.

 

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21 mai 2015 4 21 /05 /mai /2015 18:50
EDA and ESA launch DeSIRE II demonstration project

 

Brussels - 18 May, 2015 by European Defence Agency

 

The European Defence Agency (EDA) and the European Space Agency (ESA) agreed to kick-off on 9 April 2015 a new project in accordance with their demonstration roadmap to support the development of governmental, institutional and commercial services provided by Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) flying in non-segregated airspace.

 

The DeSIRE II demonstration is expected to run for 18 months with a total budget of €2,6 million. An industrial consortium led by Telespazio, one of the world’s leading company in space applications and end-to-end satellite communications services, will act as prime contractor and system integrator. The main results and recommendations coming out of the project will be disseminated to support European standardisation and regulatory activities, especially for the definition of future satellite-based command & control datalinks.

During DeSIRE II, a Piaggio Aero P.1HH HammerHead will be used as a flying testbed for the development, integration and testing of a set of capabilities designed to allow safe RPAS operation in civilian airspace in support of missions such as environment monitoring, maritime surveillance or crisis management. The joint EDA-ESA project will also aim at characterising Satcom command and control datalinks in different frequency bands through simulation, emulation and flight demonstration campaigns. Meanwhile, DeSIRE II will be also be supported by end users (Italian Coast Guard, Italian Civil Protection Department, Guardia di Finanza, European Fisheries Control Agency, Ceren and Armasuisse) who will consolidate their operational and regulatory requirements to operate RPAS in non-segregated airspace. 

This new project is a follow-on to the first DeSIRE demonstration, an EDA-ESA project led by Spanish company Indra which ran from 2011 to 2013. It culminated with a series of successful test flights demonstrating the ability of a RPAS using a satellite link to safely share the sky with other airspace users. 

Out of the €2,6 million project budget, €1,2 million will be invested by ESA, €600.000 by the EDA on its operational budget and €800.000 by the industrial consortium composed of Telespazio, e-GEOS, Selex ES, Piaggio Aero, ViaSat, Skyguide and Ædel Aerospace GmbH. 

 

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21 mai 2015 4 21 /05 /mai /2015 18:50
Outcome of the EDA Steering Board

 

Brussels - 18 May, 2015 European Defence Agency

 

 

Defence Ministers today formalised their contribution in view of the European Council at the Steering Board of the European Defence Agency (EDA). It complements the contributions from the High Representative /Head of Agency Federica Mogherini and Commissioner Bieńkowska. Among others, Ministers agreed on analysing the implications of hybrid warfare for European defence capability development, on further incentivising defence cooperation including the Preparatory Action on CSDP-related research, on a SME Action Plan, on potential basic principles, objectives and actions for a Security of Supply regime as well as future priorities of the Agency. 

 

Capability development

During today’s meeting, Defence Ministers welcomed the progress achieved in the implementation of the 2013 European Council Conclusions. The four capability programmes on Air-to-Air Refuelling, Cyber Defence, Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems and Governmental Satellite Communications endorsed by the European Council in 2013 are making good progress in line with their roadmaps. 

Cooperative programmes are important for enhancing capabilities in Europe, but also for clarifying priorities for industry. Defence Ministers agreed that potential additional priority capability areas could be investigated using the Agency’s Capability Development Plan, an assessment of cooperative opportunities derived from the Collaborative Database (CODABA) and EU wider policies. 

The Agency was also tasked to conduct an analysis of the implications of hybrid warfare for European defence capability development in light of the changed security environment to the East and South. The analysis might form part of wider efforts, co-ordinated by the External Action Service and also including the Commission, to analyse the impact of hybrid warfare on the European security environment and to identify, and recommend improvements to existing EU tools and instruments that are best suited to counter this threat.

 

Incentives for defence cooperation

While Member States spent 26% of their defence equipment budget in collaborative procurement in 2011, this ratio was 16% in 2013. There is a need to spend better on defence, and to do more together. 

Defence Ministers today confirmed the need for  EDA to work on  non-market distorting fiscal and financial measures to further incentivise defence cooperation. Tangible progress has been achieved on VAT exemption for ad hoc projects in EDA, with the support of the Commission and the Belgian authorities. Three pilot cases currently benefit from VAT exemption. Formalisation of this VAT exemption is pending the currently ongoing review of the EDA Council Decision.

EDA is investigating with Member States financial engineering mechanisms in support of defence cooperation, including a potential European investment fund for defence, for example to improve the availability of funds and the synchronisation of budgets allocated to cooperative programmes. This fund could be part of the pooled procurement mechanism. In addition, EDA has initiated contacts with the European Investment Bank to investigate potential financial support to the industrial sector and cooperative programmes of a dual-use nature.

In November 2014 the EDA proposed and Member States approved a Policy Framework for long-term and systematic cooperation. Its objective is to provide a coherent basis for defence cooperation in Europe, from priority-setting through in-service support to disposal/decommissioning.

 

Preparatory Action on CSDP-related research

There is a need to halt the continuing decline in investment of defence R&T and maintain competence in areas of critical technologies. The Preparatory Action on CSDP-related research, and its potential follow-on action in the next Multiannual Financial Framework, could provide fresh impetus. Ministers of Defence supported the progress achieved towards the development of the Preparatory Action by the European Defence Agency and the European Commission in close cooperation with the Member States.  They endorsed consolidated views pushing for a defence-oriented and CSDP-related Preparatory Action. The European Council in June 2015 is expected to provide further guidance. 

 

SME Action Plan

Defence Ministers furthermore agreed on revised guidelines for facilitating access to the defence market for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), supporting the implementation of the  Agency’s SME Action Plan. SMEs are considered to be the backbone of the EU economy in terms of jobs creation, growth and innovation. The role of SMEs in the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB) has gradually increased over time, partly as a result of greater outsourcing. The non-binding guidelines were prepared in close cooperation with the Member States and the European Commission. They contain recommendations dedicated to access to supply chain, access to finance, support to innovation, competitiveness and industrial performance, and security of supply aspects. 

 

Security of Supply

Security of Supply arrangements are indispensable for the sustainment of operations, the development of long-term planning and cooperation, and the functioning of the internal market for defence. The December 2013 European Council called on the Commission to develop with Member States and in cooperation with the High Representative and the EDA a roadmap for a comprehensive EU-wide Security of Supply regime, which takes account of the globalised nature of critical supply chains. Due to the significance and multi-dimensional nature of the Security of Supply and taking into account experience gained from its work and activities, the EDA has together with its Member States identified potential basic principles and objectives of such a  regime as well as actions that could be taken at the intergovernmental level. Proposed actions include establishing specific measures to ensure access  to critical capabilities and technologies, e.g. through an early-warning or prioritisation mechanism, developing a mechanism to address concrete short term shortfalls, promoting cross-border cooperation, and bringing the supply and demand side closer together, for example through user-clubs.

 

Future priorities of EDA 

Ministers of Defence today endorsed the future priorities of the EDA including three core activities to further strengthen defence cooperation: support the development of capabilities and military cooperation; stimulate defence R&T to prepare the capabilities of tomorrow and support the EDTIB; and ensure that the interests and specificities of defence are taken into account in wider EU policies.

Under the authority of Federica Mogherini, the Head of the Agency, EDA is a key instrument for supporting and facilitating defence cooperation in Europe. EDA’s strength is that it is Member State-owned and -driven. To date, EDA has managed around 150 R&T projects with a total aggregate budget of almost €500m. 

 

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21 mai 2015 4 21 /05 /mai /2015 18:50
Initiative to mitigate human-related risks in cyber space signed

 

Brussels - 19 May, 2015 by European Defence Agency

 

On 18 May, the Ministers of Defence of Austria, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, and the Netherlands as well as the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Head of Agency on behalf of the European External Action Service, EU Military Committee and European Defence Agency, signed a pledge to mitigate human-related risks in cyber space by launching the Cyber Hygiene initiative. The initiative is an important contribution to the implementation of the EU Cyber Defence Policy Framework, notably on awareness raising for CSDP structures, missions and operations.

 

By joining the pledge, the signatory Member States promise to adopt and implement internal guidelines for best behavioural principles for cyber hygiene by the end of 2016. This includes, for example, introducing a mandatory e-learning platform.

Initiated by the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the EU and the Estonian Ministry of Defence, the initiative calls to strengthen cyber security culture as low awareness and human-related risks are a common cause of cyber incidents. A large number of cyber incidents can be avoided, or their effects greatly mitigated, if certain behavioural cyber security procedures and implementation measures are applied. It is part of a wider project, which aims to educate the members of defence sector institutions on secure behaviour while using online resources. 

Beyond its commitment to implement internal guidelines, the Agency will contribute to expanding this initiative to other interested EU Member States.
 

EDA activities

The December 2013 European Council identified cyber defence as one of the priority areas to take forward in the European Union. Furthermore, in November 2014 the Council adopted the EU Cyber Defence Policy Framework. Cyber defence has also been identified as a priority area in the EDA’s Capability Development Plan. 

The armed forces are reliant on cyberspace both as a user and as a domain to achieve defence and security missions. The Agency is active in the fields of cyber defence capabilities and in the research & technology domain.

In the last three years, the Agency has completed ten cyber defence related projects with a financial volume of about two million euros. This equals to approximately 10% of EDA’s operational budget. Among these ten projects are a stocktaking study of cyber defence capabilities among all EDA Member States and EU institutions, the establishment of a cyber defence research agenda and cyber defence training courses for senior military decision makers as well as the assessment of the feasibility of a EU Cyber Defence Centre for CSDP. 


Copyright picture: European Union, 2015. 
From left to right: Ms. Jeanine HENNIS-PLASSCHAERT, Dutch Minister of Defence; Mr Gerald KLUG, Austrian Federal Minister for Defence and Sport; Mr Sven MIKSER, Estonian Minister of Defence; Ms. Federica MOGHERINI, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy; Mr Raimonds VEJONIS, Latvian Minister for Defence; Mr Juozas OLEKAS, Lithuanian Minister for National Defence; Ms. Piritta ASUNMAA, PSC Ambassador of Finland

 

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21 mai 2015 4 21 /05 /mai /2015 11:50
L'hélicoptère Tigre: une exemple de coopération internationale plutôt réussie - photo S.Vincent Armée de Terre

L'hélicoptère Tigre: une exemple de coopération internationale plutôt réussie - photo S.Vincent Armée de Terre

 

20/05/2015 Par le Capitaine de corvette Julien Droit, 22ème promotion de l'école de guerre

 

En matière d'armements, la coopération internationale est toujours synonyme de coût beaucoup plus élevés. Mais, à condition d'une véritable ambition politique, le jeu de la coopération peut être gagnant.

 

Dans le contexte budgétaire actuel fortement contraint, l'exécution de la loi de programmation militaire est incertaine. Le bon déroulement des programmes militaires pourrait être remis en cause car les coûts d'acquisition deviennent de plus en plus élevés. La coopération internationale pourrait être une solution efficace pour réduire significativement ces coûts mais elle se révèle souvent décevante. La performance d'un programme d'armement ne dépend pas tant du nombre de pays participants que de la volonté politique de ces pays.

 

Des coûts toujours plus élevés rendent la coopération indispensable...

Lorsque l'on s'intéresse au coût d'acquisition unitaire des systèmes d'armes modernes, on constate qu'il est en constante augmentation. Pour obtenir un outil de défense toujours plus performant, la recherche et le développement de technologies nouvelles deviennent de plus en plus coûteux. Ces dépenses deviennent si élevées qu'il sera bientôt impossible pour un seul pays d'acquérir et de maintenir en condition de tels équipements. Le programme américain Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) F-35 de Lockheed Martin, avion de combat le plus sophistiqué et le plus cher au monde, en est un parfait exemple. Ici, la coopération internationale permet de réduire les coûts d'acquisition en bénéficiant d'effets de série et de gains relatifs à certains développements communs. Les coûts fixes de recherche et de développement pour maîtriser une technologie sont alors répartis entre les partenaires.

 

... mais elle n'est pas optimale

Keith Hartley et Derek Braddon apportent, dans leur étude publiée en février 2014 dans la revue Defence and Peace Economics, un éclairage sur l'impact du nombre de nations participantes dans les projets collaboratifs. Ils concluent qu'aucune règle générale ne se dégage car les paramètres influençant la performance d'un projet sont difficilement isolables les uns des autres.
L'analyse du retour d'expérience montre pourtant qu'un programme en coopération est plus coûteux qu'un programme national d'un facteur égal à la racine carrée du nombre de nations partenaires. Les temps de développement d'un projet en coopération sont, quant à eux, souvent multipliés par la racine cubique du nombre de nations partenaires. Un programme regroupant 4 pays partenaires est généralement deux fois plus cher qu'un programme national et sa phase de développement dure 1,6 fois plus longtemps. Il faut tout de même garder à l'esprit que les frais étant divisés par le nombre de participants, chaque pays investit moins que ce qu'il aurait dû investir s'il avait été seul.

 

Partenariats: complexité et enjeux politiques...

Deux explications peuvent être apportées. D'une part, lorsque le nombre de pays participants augmente, les relations entre partenaires se complexifient, d'autant plus lorsqu'il s'agit de programmes importants d'armement. Les coûts de fonctionnement de la structure décisionnelle s'accroissent et les prises de décision sont ralenties par la lourdeur des systèmes de gouvernance. D'autre part, les enjeux des programmes d'armement ne sont pas seulement économiques mais aussi politiques. Chaque pays cherche à préserver ses intérêts nationaux en favorisant son industrie de défense pour maintenir ses capacités de production et protéger ses emplois. L'objectif est alors de positionner au travers des programmes de coopération l'industrie nationale pour qu'elle puisse bénéficier de retombées export sous une forme ou une autre. La coopération n'aboutit alors qu'à un compromis rarement optimal avec un montage industriel compliqué et donc risqué. Le retard et les surcoûts des programmes A400M, Tigre ou NH90 témoignent des difficultés de coopération entre les pays clients. Les armées sont alors confrontées à des suivis de configuration extrêmement complexes et à de multiples problèmes de compatibilité de matériel.

 

...malgré de réels succès

En réalité, rien ne prouve formellement que la performance d'un projet en termes de coût et de temps de développement soit affectée par le nombre de nations partenaires. Il suffit de comparer les performances du consortium européen Airbus Industrie regroupant la France, l'Allemagne, l'Espagne et le Royaume-Uni, face au géant américain Boeing pour en être convaincu. Citons également le Nato Submarine Rescue System (NSRS), copropriété à parts égales du Royaume-Uni, de la Norvège et de la France qui est aujourd'hui le système de sauvetage de sous-marins le plus performant au monde. Le NSRS n'aurait certainement jamais vu le jour sans la coopération des trois nations car aucune des nations n'aurait pu financer et mettre en œuvre seule ce système.

 

Une véritable ambition politique commune

La performance d'un programme en coopération n'est-elle pas simplement conditionnée par le politique ?
Il semblerait qu'une véritable ambition politique avec un but commun soit la clé pour une coopération réussie. Cependant, elle n'est souvent trouvée que dans le cadre de relations bilatérales. Durant la guerre froide, la coopération franco-britannique s'est illustrée dans des programmes militaires comme les hélicoptères Puma et Gazelle. Aujourd'hui, les frégates Horizon et FREMM témoignent des échanges fructueux entre la France et l'Italie.
Mais l'absence de signaux politiques forts pour relancer l'Europe de la défense est très inquiétante. Depuis 2006, l'organisme conjoint de coopération en matière d'armement (OCCAr) ne développe pas de nouveaux projets structurants même si les ministres européens de la défense ont déclaré en novembre 2008 que l'OCCAr avait vocation à devenir un partenaire privilégié de l'Agence européenne de Défense (AED).

 En 1950, Robert Schuman a su lancer le processus de construction d'une Europe communautaire mais les activités d'armement y avaient été exclues. Aujourd'hui, la nouvelle donne géostratégique et le contexte économique rendent la coopération internationale dans ce domaine incontournable. Les initiatives visant à promouvoir la mise en place de capacités militaires au profit de l'Europe méritent d'être poursuivies. Une réelle politique industrielle commune en matière de défense permettrait aux états européens d'optimiser leurs dépenses militaires.

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13 mai 2015 3 13 /05 /mai /2015 11:50
EDA Chief Executive briefs European Parliament

 

Brussels - 08 May, 2015 by European Defence Agency

 

Jorge Domecq, EDA’s Chief Executive, was invited to speak at the European Parliament Subcommittee on Security on Defence on 6 May. In the session on European defence capabilities, Mr Domecq explained his view on the Agency’s role in the future, the preparation of the June European Council and an update on EDA’s capability programmes.

 

Mr. Domecq explained that he saw EDA’s development along three main strands: as an enabler for Member States’ level of ambition in cooperatively developing capabilities; to support the European defence industry notably through stimulating R&T; and to act as an interface of military views in wider EU policies.

On the preparation of the June European Council on defence, the Chief Executive emphasised the need of the meeting to be more than a stockpiling exercise and the need to maintain sustained top-down impetus from the highest political level. 

He concluded his presentation with an update on the EDA’s key capability programmes on air-to-air refuelling, cyber defence, governmental satellite communications and Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems. 

Members of Parliament showed support for the work of the Agency and called upon Heads of State and Government to fully use the June European Council in order to achieve maximum results. 

 

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30 avril 2015 4 30 /04 /avril /2015 11:50
MIDCAS demonstrates progress for RPAS integration into civil airspace

 

Brussels - 30 April, 2015 by European Defence Agency

 

The MIDCAS (Mid Air Collision Avoidance System) consortium together with the European Defence Agency (EDA) announce the completion of successful flight-test and simulation campaigns conducted as part of the MIDCAS project. Major milestones included fully automatic avoidance manoeuvres of a Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) relying on fusion of non-cooperative sensors.

 

Successful completion of flight tests

Flights with a demonstrator Detect & Avoid (D&A) system integrated in the Sky-Y RPAS test bed have been conducted since December 2014 at Grazzanise Air Force Base, Italy. First fully automatic coupled avoidance manoeuvres were performed by the RPAS based on combined cooperative and non-cooperative detection as well as non-cooperative detection only and put on collision course with a manned aircraft. The MIDCAS system had full authority over the RPAS flight control system. 

The formal flight test permit to perform the automatic manoeuvre was obtained using results from earlier flight tests demonstrating the readiness to safely perform such critical manoeuvres. Flight tests have covered numerous scenarios and sensor combinations bringing RPAS traffic integration a significant step closer to reality. The Detect and Avoid system tested, performs collision avoidance and traffic avoidance using data fusion for various combinations of the included detection technologies, i.e. the cooperative IFF and ADS-B equipment and the non-cooperative electro-optical, infrared and radar sensors.

 

Important simulations

Several types of simulations (including Monte Carlo simulations and real-time simulations) have been completed which will allow the project teams to demonstrate that the functional design of MIDCAS can be compliant with the safety levels for manned aviation. Simulations in Air Traffic Management (ATM) environment have also been performed to validate the system requirements in an operational context. “We are pleased with the outcome of the simulations where the involved air traffic controllers concluded that they were confident to control RPAS within their airspace and did not get any additional workload from the RPAS, whose behavior was fully in line with manned aviation”, MIDCAS project leader Johan Pellebergs explains.

 

MIDCAS is the European Detect & Avoid project

The MIDCAS project is laying the groundwork for future developments in the field of RPAS air traffic integration. The project has gathered European industries within the field of D&A with the purpose to achieve jointly agreed results with European and global standardisation stakeholders.The MIDCAS project was launched in 2009 by five contributing Member States (France, Germany, Italy and Spain under the lead of Sweden) under the framework of the European Defence Agency, with a total budget of €50 million. 

The project has produced tangible results in the field of air traffic integration, which is a critical enabler for the use of RPAS in European skies”, Peter Round, EDA Capability, Armament & Technology Director, says. “In order to improve Member States’ RPAS capabilities, technological and regulatory issues need to be taken into account as early as possible”, he adds. 

MIDCAS has been carried out by an industrial consortium composed of 11 partners: Saab (project leader) from Sweden, Sagem and Thales from France, Airbus D&S, Diehl BGT Defence, DLR and ESG from Germany, Alenia Aermacchi, Selex ES, CIRA from Italy and Indra from Spain. Throughout the project, external stakeholders such as EASA, EUROCONTROL, EUROCAE or JARUS, were involved in the process. “The only way to achieve a high level of acceptance and reach a common European agreement on how to resolve the D&A issue is through close cooperation”, Johan Pellebergs concludes.

 

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photo Polish Ministry of National Defence, mjr Robert Siemaszko

photo Polish Ministry of National Defence, mjr Robert Siemaszko

 

Warsaw - 22 April, 2015 by European Defence Agency
 

Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Tomasz Siemoniak and EDA Chief Executive Jorge Domecq met on 20 April to exchange views about the preparation of the European Council in June 2015. They also discussed Poland’s participation in EDA projects and ways to support the Polish defence industry with an emphasis on small and medium sized enterprises.

“Poland is a driving force of defence cooperation within the European Defence Agency. It participates in all of our key capability programmes: air-to-air refuelling, cyber defence, governmental satellite communications and remotely piloted aircraft systems. Additionally, Poland is heavily involved in many of our research and technology initiatives.

The focus of all our activities is to improve national defence capabilities as well as to support the European defence industry. Security of supply and support to the European defence technological and industrial base (EDTIB) are key aspects of our strategic autonomy. We are therefore keen on understanding the needs and working with the Central and Eastern European defence industries”, said Jorge Domecq during his stay in Warsaw.

The visit in Poland also provided the opportunity to meet with the Secretary of State Czesław Mroczek and representatives of the Military Institute of Armament Technology. It is part of a series of visits by Mr. Domecq to all EDA Member States following his appointment as EDA Chief Executive and ahead of the Ministerial Steering Board on 18 May 2015. So far, Mr. Domecq visited Spain, Lithuania, Latvia, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Germany, Portugal, the Netherlands, Ireland, France, Romania, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Croatia and Estonia. 

Copyright picture: Polish Ministry of National Defence, mjr Robert Siemaszko

 

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Member States adopt Code of Conduct on REACH

 

Brussels - 28 April, 2015 by European Defence Agency

 

To further harmonise national practices, a voluntary Code of Conduct (CoC) on REACH Defence Exemptions was adopted last month by EDA Member States, as well as an associated technical Framework for Applying for a Defence Exemption from a Requirement of REACH. The Code of Conduct is now open for subscription to EDA participating Member States as well as third states having an Administrative Arrangement with the Agency.

 

The REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) regulation was adopted by the European Union in 2006 to improve the protection of human health and the environment from the risks that can be posed by chemicals, while enhancing the competitiveness of the EU chemicals industry. The Code of Conduct on REACH defence exemptions adopted last month sets as a common goal that Member States will fully support the objectives of REACH and provide for the highest safety and traceability standards possible when granting REACH defence exemptions. 

In parallel, Member States agree to establish on a voluntary basis suitable measures to acknowledge other Member States' exemption decisions in accordance with national law, as well as to make information on national procedures publicly available. The technical Framework aims to standardise, as far as reasonably practicable, national defence exemption procedures and provide an agreed set of minimum standards in order to guarantee a safety equivalent with the REACH requirements.

 

Harmonised approach

A harmonised approach towards national REACH defence exemptions will level the playing field for European defence industries by reducing their administrative burden and related costs. It will support the creation of an open and transparent European Defence Equipment Market and a capable European Defence Technological and Industrial Base, providing Armed Forces with the right defence equipment to meet their operational requirements.

 

 

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30 avril 2015 4 30 /04 /avril /2015 10:50
Defence cooperation talks in Cyprus

 

Nicosia - 23 April, 2015 by European Defence Agency

 

Jorge Domecq, EDA Chief Executive, today travelled to Cyprus for discussions with the Cypriot Minister of Defence, Christoforos Fokaides on the preparation of the European Council in June 2015 and Cyprus’ participation in EDA projects. During the visit Cyprus confirmed its participation in the Agency’s EU Satcom Market pooled procurement initiative for commercial satellite communications. Mr. Domecq also held discussions with the Cypriot Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Ioannis Kasoulides. 

 

“I would like to underline my satisfaction for the productive meeting we had today with the Chief Executive of the European Defence Agency. I had the opportunity to reiterate our firm will to further enhance our contribution and support to the common initiatives and efforts of the Agency. The signing today of the Satcom Market Joint Procurement Arrangement is just an indication of this. In addition, we have also agreed today to co-organise an important Maritime Security Conference here in Cyprus next November which reflects the emphasis that we want to attribute in this field but also the role that Cyprus can play”, stressed Minister Fokaides.

“Satellite communications are a scarce and investment-intensive capability. The Agency’s approach to pool Member State’s demand of commercially available satellite communications aims to reduce costs, ease access, and improve operational efficiency. There are only advantages for Member States, since they only pay what they use at the best price and when needed. This is why I welcome Cyprus’ decision”, stressed Jorge Domecq during his visit in Cyprus. 

 

EU Satcom Market

Commercial satellite communications are used by all nations to provide extra capacity on top of their own military and governmental satellite communications. The EU Satcom Market provides a flexible and cost-effective way of doing this, with the European Defence Agency acting as the central purchasing body for all participating countries. So far, Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxemburg, Poland, Romania, and the United Kingdom take part in the project. Since the launch of the project, 20 orders have been processed through this procurement cell, for a total value of about 2.5 million euros. Member States are already forwarding their requirements for 2015 and it is expected that their interest and usage will increase significantly.

 

Visit to Member States

The visit in Cyprus also allowed for meetings with other high-ranking officials of the Ministry of Defence, as well as briefings about the armed forces of Cyprus and research initiatives. It is part of a series of visits by Mr. Domecq to all EDA Member States following his appointment as EDA Chief Executive and ahead of the Ministerial Steering Board on 18 May 2015. So far, Mr. Domecq visited Spain, Lithuania, Latvia, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Germany, Portugal, the Netherlands, Ireland, France, Romania, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Croatia, Estonia, Poland, Slovenia and Greece. 

 

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EDA Chief Executive visits Athens

 

Athens - 22 April, 2015 by European Defence Agency

 

Jorge Domecq, EDA Chief Executive, met today with the Greek Minister of National Defence, Panos Kammenos to exchange views about the preparation of the European Council in June 2015 and the participation of Greece in EDA projects. 

 

“Member States benefit significantly through their cooperation within the framework of EDA, in areas such as capability development, training, procurement, standardisation, achieving on one hand economies of scale, while on the other enhancing European security”, Hellenic Minister of Defence Panos Kammenos said in Wednesday’s meeting with EDA Chief Executive Jorge Domecq.

“Greece will actively support your work in order to foster the improvement of European capabilities and cooperation in the area of defence, consequently promoting European integration and strengthening European security”, the Minister added.

“Greece is a strong supporter of the European Defence Agency. Its proactive approach in EDA initiatives relating to the European defence industry as well as to our maritime or energy and environment activities, have certainly contributed to their overall success. 

One of the Agency’s key functions is to serve as an interface between the Member States and the European Commission. We facilitate access to information on EU policies which have or might have an impact on the military such as the modernisation of the European air traffic system. In the same spirit we also support national defence industries and especially small and medium sized enterprises, for instance in the application processes for EU funding for dual-use research. This can be of benefit for the Greek and the European defence and technological industrial base as a whole”, said Jorge Domecq during his visit in Athens. 

The visit in Greece also allowed for meetings with other high-ranking officials of the Ministry of Defence, including Alternate Minister of National Defence Mr. Kostas Isichos, the Greek Chief of Defence and representatives of the national defence industry. It is part of a series of visits by Mr. Domecq to all EDA Member States following his appointment as EDA Chief Executive and ahead of the Ministerial Steering Board on 18 May 2015. So far, Mr. Domecq visited Spain, Lithuania, Latvia, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Germany, Portugal, the Netherlands, Ireland, France, Romania, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Croatia, Estonia, Poland and Hungary. Tomorrow he will head to Cyprus.

 

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Chief Executive meets Hungarian Minister of Defence

 

Budapest - 23 April, 2015 by European Defence Agency

 

On 21 April Jorge Domecq, EDA Chief Executive, met with Hungarian Minister of Defence, Csaba Hende to exchange views about the preparation of the European Council in June 2015 and Hungary’s participation in EDA projects. 



"The role and efforts of EDA in facilitating defence cooperation in Europe are of outstanding importance in filling capability gaps. Even more so in the light of new security challenges Europe faces", the Hungarian Minister of Defence, Csaba Hende pointed out during his discussion with the Chief Executive of EDA. The Minister expressed his appreciation that the Agency pays attention to the specificities of the Central- and Eastern-European defence industry and places a special emphasis on offering solutions for SMEs to get better market access and benefit from EU funds.

“The European Defence Agency is an instrument at the service of Member States. Its flexible approach allows nations to pick and choose the projects they are interested in. The Agency can facilitate bilateral, regional or European-wide defence cooperation depending on the priorities of Member States. Hungary’s active involvement in the Agency’s work on helicopter training, C-IED and personnel recovery is much appreciated. It demonstrates the range of topics covered by the Agency to best support its Member States”, said Jorge Domecq during his visit in Budapest. 

The visit in Hungary also allowed for meetings with other high-ranking officials of the Ministry of Defence and representatives of the Ministry of National Economy. It is part of a series of visits by Mr. Domecq to all EDA Member States following his appointment as EDA Chief Executive and ahead of the Ministerial Steering Board on 18 May 2015. So far, Mr. Domecq visited Spain, Lithuania, Latvia, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Germany, Portugal, the Netherlands, Ireland, France, Romania, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Croatia, Estonia, Poland, Hungary and Greece. Today he visits Cyprus.

 

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30 avril 2015 4 30 /04 /avril /2015 10:20
EDA Chief Executive addresses CSDP symposium in Washington

 

Washington - 29 April, 2015 by European Defence Agency

 

Along with Head of the European Defence Agency and HR/VP Federica Mogherini, EDA Chief Executive Jorge Domecq travelled to Washington on 29 April to attend the 4th Annual Transatlantic Symposium on the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).

 

Bringing together senior EU and US military and civilian leaders, the event provided a forum to discuss the role of CSDP and transatlantic cooperation in addressing challenges such as hybrid warfare, crisis management in Africa, maritime security and global security.

 

Transatlantic cooperation

After an opening address given by Federica Mogherini, EDA Chief Executive Jorge Domecq took part in a panel discussion focused on the reinforcement of the transatlantic security cooperation. There he shared views with Maciej Popowski, Deputy Secretary General, European External Action Service; and Jim Townsend, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for European and NATO Policy, as well as with the rest of the audience.

It is important that we maintain a sound working relationship with NATO”, Jorge Domecq stressed during the conference. “In the current security environment we will need to further enhance this link by avoiding unnecessary duplications and reinforcing the EU’s ability to act as a security provider with the right set of capabilities and a strong and balanced defence industry”, he explained.

 

Constant interaction

We have to keep in mind that each EU Member State can only rely on a single set of forces to achieve EU and NATO ambitions”, the EDA Chief Executive added. “Thanks to constant interaction between EDA and NATO experts, we have already established transatlantic links that could be further developed in the years to come”.

Jorge Domecq also took advantage of this trip to the United States to meet with Department of Defense officials.

 

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2 avril 2015 4 02 /04 /avril /2015 16:50
The Limits of Epistemic Communities: EU Security Agencies


Published: 31 March 2015 by Mai'a K. Davis Cross (1,2)

Submitted: 30 May 2014 | In Revised Form: 13 September 2014 | Accepted: 29 September 2014

 

Abstract
This article examines the cases of the European Defence Agency (EDA) and EU Intelligence Analysis Centre (IntCen) to argue that although they are comprised of high-level security experts, they do not constitute epistemic communities. Research on other groups of security experts based in Brussels has shown that epistemic communities of diplomats, military experts, security researchers, and civilian crisis management experts, among others, have been able to influ-ence the trajectory of security integration by virtue of their shared knowledge. Importantly, these security epistemic communities have been shown to significantly impact outcomes of EU security policy beyond what would be expected by looking only at member-states’ initial preferences. In exploring two examples of “non-cases” that are at the same time very similar to the other examples, the author seeks to shed light on why some expert groups do not form epis-temic communities, and how this changes the nature of their influence. In so doing, the goal is to sharpen the parame-ters of what constitutes epistemic communities, and to add to our understanding of why they emerge. The argument advanced in this article is that institutional context and the nature of the profession matter as preconditions for epis-temic community emergence.

 

1 Department of Political Science, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
2 ARENA—Centre for European Studies, University of Oslo, 0318 Oslo, Norway; E-Mail: maia.cross [at] rena.uio.no

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31 mars 2015 2 31 /03 /mars /2015 17:50
Italian Blade 2015 Teaser - Helicopter Exercise Programme

 

31 mars 2015 European Defence Agency

 

Italian Blade 2015, organised as part of the European Defence Agency's Helicopter Exercise Programme, will take place from 22 June to 5 July in Viterbo, Italy.

Video © Italian Army Aviation

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27 mars 2015 5 27 /03 /mars /2015 12:55
Visite de Jorge Domecq, directeur exécutif de l’Agence Européenne de Défense (AED)

 

27/03/2015 Ministère de la Défense

 

Jean-Yves Le Drian, ministre français de la défense et Jorge Domecq, directeur exécutif de l’Agence Européenne de Défense (AED) se sont rencontrés pour aborder la participation française aux projets de l’AED ainsi que la préparation du Conseil européen de juin 2015.

 

« L’Agence européenne de Défense tient un rôle essentiel pour renforcer la coopération de défense en Europe et pour faciliter les synergies avec les politiques conduites par l’Union européenne : l’AED aura ainsi un rôle tout particulier à jouer dans la préparation et la mise en œuvre de l’Action Préparatoire qui va amorcer un effort de recherche européen dans le domaine de la Défense. Je me réjouis du travail mené par l’AED pour aider à bâtir une flotte multinationale de ravitailleurs en vol et des actions conduites pour préparer l’insertion dans le trafic aérien du futur DRONE MALE européen, projet que nous portons avec l’Allemagne et l’Italie. La France soutiendra pleinement le nouveau directeur exécutif de l’AED dans sa mission » a déclaré le ministre de la défense.

 

« L’Agence Européenne de Défense est un instrument au service des Etats membres. Nous les appuyons en comblant les déficits capacitaires les plus pressants, en coordonnant la recherche et la technologie au niveau européen et nous nous assurons que les intérêts militaires soient bien pris en compte par les grands projets de l’UE comme le Ciel Unique Européen. Je me suis engagé à répondre aux attentes fixées par les États membres et à éviter les duplications d’efforts. Notre première priorité est la préparation du Conseil européen de Juin, qui devrait apporter un coup d’accélérateur à la coopération de défense et à l’industrie d’armement en Europe » a dit Jorge Domecq lors de son entretien avec le ministre de la défense Jean-Yves Le Drian

 

Cette visite s’inscrit dans une série de déplacements et d’entretiens de M. Domecq avec l’ensemble des pays membres de l’AED à la suite à sa nomination à la tête de l’AED et précède la réunion des ministres de la Défense de l’Union européenne du 18 mai 2015.

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27 mars 2015 5 27 /03 /mars /2015 12:50
Joint statement by French Minister of Defence Jean-Yves Le Drian and EDA Chief Executive Jorge Domecq

 

Paris, 26 March 2015. Ministère de la Défense

 

Jean-Yves Le Drian, French Minister of Defence and Jorge Domecq, Chief Executive of the European Defence Agency (EDA) met today to discuss French participation in EDA projects as well as preparations of the European Council discussion on defence in June 2015.

 

 “The European Defence Agency has an essential role to play for enabling defence cooperation in Europe and facilitating synergies with EU policies: EDA has a key role to play for example in the preparation and implementation of the CSDP related Preparatory Action. I welcome the work achieved to set up a multinational fleet of tankers, and the activities pursued in air traffic insertion in support of the MALE RPAS programme we run together with Germany and Italy. France will fully support the new EDA Chief Executive it his duty”said French Minister of Defence.

 

“The European Defence Agency is an instrument at the service of Member States. We support them in filling pressing capability shortfalls, in coordinating research and technology on a European level and we ensure that military interests are taken into account in wider EU policies such as Single European Sky. I am committed to answering to the expectations set by Member States and to avoid duplication of efforts. Our key priority is the preparation of the European Council next June, which should give a boost to defence cooperation and to defence industry across Europe.”, said Jorge Domecq during the meeting with Minister Le Drian.

 

The visit is part of a series of visits by Mr. Domecq to all EDA Member States following his appointment as EDA Chief Executive and ahead of the Ministerial Steering Board on 18 May 2015. So far, Mr. Domecq visited Spain, Lithuania, Latvia, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Germany, Portugal, the Netherlands, and Ireland.

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26 mars 2015 4 26 /03 /mars /2015 12:50
RAF A400M Atlas Aircraft – photo Steve Lympany – Uk MoD

RAF A400M Atlas Aircraft – photo Steve Lympany – Uk MoD

 

3 March 2015 Ministry of Defence and Military Aviation Authority

 

Air Vice-Marshal Martin Clark, Director (Technical), MAA, reviews recent progress in harmonising military airworthiness

 

In a time of extreme pressure on defence budgets, harmonising military airworthiness among allies can bring big benefits. In a recent article in the February edition of the RAeS publication, Aerospace, Air Vice-Marshal Martin Clark FRAeS, Director (Technical), Military Aviation Authority (MAA), reviews recent progress.

In a September 2014 Aerospace article, Howard Wheeldon described how the MAA had grown and developed since its creation in April 2010, following the publication of the Nimrod review into the tragic loss of Nimrod XV230. As part of its drive to re-establish the importance of managing military airworthiness effectively, the MAA has continued to support, and often lead, the extension of this work into Europe and beyond in order to improve understanding and consistency in approach for this critical area amongst our international allies. Other benefits are anticipated through creating the opportunity to share work done by the military airworthiness community to help reduce the cost of procurement and support activity, for both the participating nations and national industries.

This work has its origins in the early 2000s, when it became clear that international military aircraft projects were being managed in a variety of different ways, largely due to the varying needs of the collaborating nations and the differing responsibilities of national industries. Each nation had developed its own sovereign regulations or laws governing military aviation, often informed by lessons learned from the national perspective, and there seemed little appetite to change. However, as defence spending reduced and there was pressure to deliver more for less, the cost of these international programmes came increasingly under the spotlight. It was in this context that the UK championed a proposal to harmonise military airworthiness arrangements across Europe. This gathered broad support and work was initiated formally by the twenty-six participating Member States (pMS) of the European Defence Agency (EDA) who, on 10 November 2008, agreed to the formation of the Military Airworthiness Authorities (MAWA) Forum. In addition to the pMS, observers from the AeroSpace and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD), European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and other interested organisations were invited to participate in the MAWA Forum.

 

Full Harmonising airworthiness article can be viewed here (PDF, 269KB, 5 pages)

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25 mars 2015 3 25 /03 /mars /2015 17:51
European airlift course kicks off in Bulgaria

 

Plovdiv, Bulgaria - 23 March, 2015 European Defence Agency

 

This year’s first edition of the European Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Course (EAATTC) just started in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Academic sessions and live missions will take place until 3 April 2015, with graduating crews joining from four EU countries.

 

Initiated by the European Defence Agency and run by the European Air Transport Command, the EAATTC series of courses aim to provide air transport crews with a robust airlift tactics training syllabus in order to enhance interoperability between European air forces. EAATTC 15-1, hosted by the Bulgarian Air Force in Plovdiv, has started today with the first academic sessions and familiarisation flights.

Four countries are joining EAATTC 15-1 with their tactical transport aircraft: Bulgaria (1 x C-27J), Germany (1 x C160), France (1 x C-130) and Italy (1 x C-130J). Due to other operational commitments, Czech Republic and the Netherlands were not able to contribute with aircraft as initially planned.

Over the next days, the complexity of the academic training and the flying sorties will gradually increase. At the end of the course, graduating crews will be presented with a certificate based on the completion of a commonly-agreed syllabus.

The EAATTC series of courses is one of the deliverables of the European Air Transport Fleet partnership, launched in 2011 by 20 participating nations under the framework of the European Defence Agency.

 

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photo Phil Nijhuis  Dutch MoD

photo Phil Nijhuis Dutch MoD

 

The Hague - 23 March, 2015 European Defence Agency

 

Jorge Domecq, Chief Executive of the European Defence Agency and Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, Minister of Defence of the Netherlands have met today to discuss Dutch participation in EDA capability programmes, the implementation of EU Maritime Security Strategy Action Plan as well as preparations of the European Council discussion on defence in June 2015. 

During the visit, Jorge Domecq also met with senior officials of the Dutch Ministry of Defence. The main topics addressed during the meetings were the preparation of the Heads of State and Government discussion on defence in June 2015, the Multi Role Tanker Transport project, the implementation of the EU Maritime Security Strategy Action Plan, support to industry, as well as EDA’s work regarding the Preparatory Action for CSDP-related research. 

Military shortfalls can only be fixed if nations develop joint approaches”, Minister Hennis-Plasschaert stated after the meeting. “The efforts of defence cooperation between European countries can only lead to high level capabilities through integrated defence research and strengthening the position of small and medium enterprises. Only then joint capabilities can lead to innovative and future orientated cooperation between like-minded countries. It will boost military effectiveness and enhance our ability to act.” 

The Netherlands leads two of the European Defence Agency’s flagship capability projects. The Multi Role Tanker Transport project aims at creating a European air-to-air refuelling and transport capability in the long-term. The Joint Deployable Exploitation and Analysis Laboratory contributes to reducing casualties resulting from improvised explosive devices. EDA really is an instrument at the service of our Member States. It is our aim to support nations in all their efforts of defence cooperation. At the same time, the Member States are in the driving seat and their input to EDA projects is paramount”, Jorge Domecq said after the meeting with Minister Hennis-Plasschaert. 

Jorge Domecq’s meetings in The Hague are part of a tour to all EDA Member States following his appointment as EDA Chief Executive and ahead of the European Council in June. 

 

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22 mars 2015 7 22 /03 /mars /2015 08:50
The European Defence Agency is coordinating an effort to develop mobile counter-IED laboratories.(Photo French MoD)

The European Defence Agency is coordinating an effort to develop mobile counter-IED laboratories.(Photo French MoD)

 

March 18, 2015 By Julian Hale – Defense News

 

BRUSSELS — The Netherlands is the lead nation in an EU effort to build two mobile counter-IED labs for use by EU countries at a cost of about €10 million (US $10.6 million).

 

The money will come from an ad hoc EDA budget. The new labs are due to be available for deployment in theater by the end of 2015, according to an EDA official.

 

Coordinated by the European Defence Agency (EDA), Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden are involved, while other countries have also expressed interest in the project. Only these 12 countries currently can decide on where the labs would be deployed.

 

The goal is to have the labs ready to be deployed within five days and fully operational in a given mission area within 21 days.

 

The aim of the Joint Deployable Exploitation and Analysis Laboratory (JDEAL) is to gather information about IEDs to better understand, identify and reveal IED threat networks. This will enable EU countries to adapt the tactics, techniques and procedures they use in operations and training.

 

The EDA has already issued a tender, which cannot be seen by the general public, to produce two deployable, fully functional laboratories, as well as housing for them. The EDA is currently evaluating offers received by industry in order to design, develop and deliver the JDEAL capability.

 

Asked which companies had responded to the tender, an EDA official said offers had been received but "the names of the companies cannot be disclosed as the evaluation process is ongoing."

 

The technical functionalities required by the tender cover area such as electronics, chemical, media and documentation exploitation, triage, and command and control.

 

After the EDA has finalized contracts with supplier companies, the labs are expected to be ready for deployment in November or December.

Dutch To Develop Counter-IED Labs for EU
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20 mars 2015 5 20 /03 /mars /2015 08:50
photo Bundeswehr-Grauwinkel

photo Bundeswehr-Grauwinkel

 

Berlin - 19 March, 2015 European Defence Agency

 

Jorge Domecq, Chief Executive of the European Defence Agency (EDA), visited Germany on 17 March 2015 to to discuss Germany’s involvement in projects of the European Defence Agency, support to defence industry as well as preparation of the European Council on defence issues in June 2015. 

 

During the visit Jorge Domecq met with Karin Suder, State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Defence as well as senior Federal Foreign Office and Federal Ministry of Defence officials and representatives of the German Federation of Security and Defence Industries. The main topic addressed was the preparation of the  Heads of State and Government discussion on defence in June 2015.

“The European Defence Agency is committed to providing the best possible input for the discussions on defence by Heads of State and Government in June this year. In the current context, we need a strong defence in Europe, which means more cooperation and a robust defence industry. We are working with all Member States on capability development, incentives for cooperation and support to European industry. Today’s discussions highlighted the role of the European defence industry as regards our overall economic performance, our continued ability to develop the capabilities of the future and our technological strategic autonomy”, Jorge Domecq said after the meetings in Berlin.

The meetings in Brussels are part of a tour to all EDA Member States by Jorge Domecq following his appointment as EDA Chief Executive and ahead of the European Council in June.

 

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