Brussels - 10 May 2012 EDA News

This June, the European Defence Agency is helping organize EATT12, the first multinational fixed wing training exercise. Incorporating air transport assets from six nations, this exercise is just part of a wider movement towards cooperation in air transport. We spoke with  Colonel Franck Verdierre who is the Head of Training & Exercises Branch at the European Air Transport Command in Eindhoven. EATC have played a vital role in the organization of this exercise.

So there is a major training exercise coming up in June. Please tell us a little about EATT12. What is it, and who is going to be involved?

EATT’12 (European Air Transport Training 2012) will take place on Zaragoza Airbase, from Monday 4th to Friday 15th of June 2012. It is a Multinational Air Transport block training set up in order to gather enough lessons identified and knowledge to pave the way to European Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Course (EAATTC) as from year 2014. EAATTC’s overall objective is to increase tactical awareness and interoperability between EU airlift operators, within the framework of the EATF partnership.

6 nations are participating in EATT 2012: the 4 EATC nations (France, Germany, Belgium and The Netherlands), the Czech Republic and Spain. The EATT detachment will be made up of around 200 persons. Each national contingent will be composed of at least 1 airframe, 2 flying crews, a maintenance team and an INTEL officer. Of course, EATC is also strongly involved in the preparation and the conduct of EATT 2012.

Why is this exercise being conducted? What is the importance of this exercise, and why is it unusual?

The main objective of this block training is to get the participants current in their qualifications in a short time period on their dedicated assets, either by consolidating existing qualifications or regaining them if necessary. The training programme is based on the training requirements defined by nations.

EATT 2012 is also a workshop aiming at enhancing interoperability between tactical airlift (C-130, C-160, Cn-295…) users in the area of operations and training by starting to work out standardised procedures. Lots of exercises have already been conducted to train fighters but such a block training for Air Transport assets is a big first in Europe.

What does EATC do in general, and what has their role been in preparing EATT? How has it been, working with the EDA?

The organization of EATC is built on two pillars: an operational pillar mostly based on the operational control of transferred assets; and a functional one that aims at developing policies and common standards related to Air Transport Employment, Training and Exercises, Fleet Management and Logistic Capabilities, according to the Transfer of Authority granted by each nation. The role of the Functional Division is of high importance to reach higher interoperability between nations and to prepare the entry into service of common fleet such as the A400M and the MRTT.

Some EATC members are deeply involved in several EDA/EATF Ad Hoc Working Groups. They also participated in the latest TAT Symposium that took place in Eindhoven in November 2011. This annual symposium associated with a specific Block Training such as this one in Zaragoza would be in the future the backbone of the EAATTC, just as it currently is in the USA with their AATTC.

Working with the EDA is a very efficient way to develop air transport training in Europe. Both EATC and EDA have a key role. EATC provides expertise on several domains (training, intelligence, maintenance…) whilst EDA has the adequate levers to address national authorities, and convince them to develop cooperation.

What do you hope will be learned from EATT?

In addition to common training objectives, EATT will test a multinational Air Transport Intel cell and a multinational cross-services maintenance. Lessons learned from EATT will be a solid basis for future deployments in the scope of European operations, in the perspective of the use of the A400M and in the set-up of EAATTC.

What are your hopes for the future of air transport training?

Some American observers coming from the US AATTC will participate in EATT12. Some other nations such as Italy, Greece or Sweden have expressed a willingness to participate in EATT13. On top of this initiative, some multinational training courses such as MART (Multinational Aircraft Recovery Training 21-25/05/12, Orléans Airbase) are being developed. I am very optimistic for the future of transport training and the extension to multinational participation. In addition to what is developed across the Atlantic, Europe will then be able to offer complementary training opportunities.

EATT seems to be a great example of European defense cooperation. Do you agree? What is your general view of European defense cooperation?

Yes, EATT is a great example of European defense cooperation. A common Air Transport training in Europe will undeniably have to be developed. As all nations face budget cuts and economic problems, they have to focus their attention on training opportunities that enhance interoperability, optimization and rationalization. The latest declarations about AAR capabilities are a further evidence of this trend and show the increasing interest for European defense cooperation.

This Q&A is part of a series of discussions with the key players in EATT12 and European air transport cooperation. Look out for more in the coming weeks.

09/05/2012 Armée de l'air

Du 9 au 16 mai 2012, le commandement des forces aériennes organise une campagne de guerre électronique dans le nord-est de la France et en Allemagne. Il s’agit  d’un exercice interallié et interarmées qui a pour but d’entraîner, non seulement, le personnel naviguant à faire face à une situation tactique sol-air, mais également les opérateurs de défense sol-air à mettre en œuvre leur système.

L’objectif de cette campagne de guerre électronique consiste à proposer aux unités navigantes un dispositif de menace sol-air le plus représentatif possible des théâtres sur lesquels la France pourrait être engagée. Du côté des moyens au sol, le polygone de guerre électronique déploie des systèmes de défense sol-air, parmi lesquels des SA-6 et SA-8 d’origine russe ou des missiles inertes de type «Smokey-sams». Un système de moyenne portée Mamba de l’escadron de défense sol-air «Servance» d’Avord est également déployé sur le terrain afin de compléter le dispositif simulant de manière ultra-réaliste un maillage de menaces modernes.

Dans les airs, Mirage 2000, Rafale, ravitailleurs C-135, avions radar E-3F, avions de transport tactique Transall et Casa réalisent des missions variées telles que frappes en profondeur, tirs simulés de missile SCALP, missions de défense aérienne, de renseignement, de reconnaissance, d’évaluation et de suppression de la menace sol-air, d’appui aérien rapproché (CAS-Close air support), de ravitaillement en vol etc. Des hélicoptères de l’armée de terre et de nombreux moyens aériens allemands, américains, belges et otaniens sont, eux aussi, quotidiennement engagés pour participer à cette campagne biannuelle de grande ampleur.

May 9, 2012 defense-aerospace.com

(Source: The Guardian; published May 7, 2012)

Pilotless Planes Project Begins Test Flights Over Irish Sea (excerpt)

BAE Systems has taken a step closer to removing pilots from fighter jets by launching the first major test flights for a new generation of intelligent drone aircraft.

The defence group is assessing software for unmanned aircraft that will operate with an unprecedented level of independence. Defence experts believe pilotless planes are the next progression from manned fighters such as the Typhoon jet, made by BAE.

The project, named Astraea, differs from the current drone models in use in Afghanistan, which are flown remotely by pilots on the ground. Instead the prototypes will follow a set of programmed instructions, with the aim that they could fly difficult missions autonomously for days at a time.

BAE is using a conventional aircraft – an 18-seater Jetstream propeller plane – for the flights over the Irish Sea and will have technicians on board. The Jetstream will fly autonomously during some tests but there will be a pilot at the controls at all times, ready to take over if there is a problem.

The tests will include a collision avoidance trial, using a light aircraft that will gauge the plane's ability to dodge potential hazards. A BAE spokesperson said: "This will demonstrate to regulators such as the Civil Aviation Authority and air traffic control service providers the progress made towards achieving safe routine use of UAVs [unmanned air vehicle] in UK airspace."

The test flights started at the beginning of the month and will run until September, and are taking place in controlled airspace. The Astraea programme is run by a consortium whose members include BAE and other UK companies such as Cobham, Qinetiq and Rolls-Royce. Thales, the French defence and security group, is also a member. (end of excerpt)


Click here for the full story, on The Guardian website.

8 mai 2012 Par Rédacteur en chef. PORTAIL DES SOUS-MARINS

Après avoir fermé des hôpitaux, supprimer la gratuité des soins pour les retraités, augmenté les frais universitaires ou le nombre d’élèves par classes, la lutte contre le déficit en Espagne menace maintenant certains des bâtiments les plus emblématiques de la marine espagnole.

L’état-major de la marine espagnole envisage de désarmer son porte-aéronefs Príncipe de Asturias et 2 des 6 frégates de la classe Santa María dans le cadre d’un programme drastique visant à réduire les coûts d’entretien.

Techniquement, il s’agit de placer ces bâtiments en “activité restreinte”, en espérant qu’ils pourront à l’avenir retrouver une pleine activité opérationnelles. Les experts considèrent cependant qu’il s’agit d’un premier vers le désarmement définitif. Et ils avancent 3 raisons : il n’y a aucune perspective que la situation budgétaire s’améliore à moyen terme ; les bâtiments se détériorent rapidement s’ils ne sont pas entretenus ; et parce que, en raison de leur âge, la remise en service nécessiterait des sommes importantes, dont la rentabilité serait plus que douteuse.

La décision sur l’avenir du Príncipe de Asturias sera prise au « plus haut niveau politique », selon la marine espagnole, en raison de la signification symbolique. Il s’agit du seul porte-aéronefs espagnol et, comme tel, il constitue un élément dissuasif de 1er ordre. Sa simple présence à proximité d’une zone de conflit, bien qu’il ait une attitude pacifique et reste dans les eaux internationales, constitue un message politique clair.

Le Príncipe de Asturias a été mis en service en 1988. En 2003, il était prévu qu’il subisse un grand carénage, pour une modernisation complète. Il a cependant été annulé en raison du coût élevé (400 millions €). Son état se dégrade lentement et la plupart de ses équipements sont obsolètes.

Bien que cela ne soit pas dit officiellement, son activité est très limitée, et il ne participe pas à des exercices internationaux. Il ne quitte pas les parages de sa base de Rota.

Dans les prochains mois, la marine espagnole va admettre au service actif le bâtiment de projection stratégique Juan Carlos I. Il ne s’agit pas à strictement parler d’un porte-aéronefs, mais il peut cependant accueillir les Harrier, ce qui permettra aux pilotes espagnols de maintenir leurs qualifications nécessaires pour le combat.

L’entretien du Príncipe de Asturias coûte 30 millions € par an. Le budget d’entretien des bâtiments de la marine espagnole a été réduit de 25% au cours des 4 dernières années.

(Photo: Airbus Military)

May 9, 2012defpro.com

An Airbus Military A400M new generation airlifter has successfully performed simulated refuelling contacts with an Airbus Military A330 MRTT Multi Role Tanker Transport.

The A400M made some 30 contacts with the hose and drogue of the A330 MRTT´s Fuselage Refuelling Unit (FRU). No fuel was passed in these tests which consisted of “dry contacts”. The A330 MRTT that took part in the tests is one of the aircraft to be delivered to the UK Royal Air Force, where it is known as Voyager, as part of the Future Strategic Transport Aircraft (FSTA) programme.

The FRU is typically used to refuel large aircraft such as the A400M and the tests demonstrated the stability of both aircraft when flying in close formation and when refuelling.

May. 5, 2012 Defense News (AFP)

PRAGUE — Defense ministers from the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia agreed May 4 to create a 3,000-strong joint combat unit to be put at the EU’s disposal.

“We want to put into place a combat unit for EU forces before the end of the first quarter of 2016,” Czech Defence Minister Alexandr Vondra told reporters at Litormerice, north of Prague.

The unit will be under Polish command, and its first exercise is due to take place in 2015, before it becomes fully operational, Vondra said.

“This is a strong signal that four central European countries are capable of taking on such a task without a great European power behind them,” the Czech minister added.

The ministers also agreed to hold joint exercises after the end of their respective missions in Afghanistan, where they have deployed a total 3,600 personnel.

All four countries, which were part of the Soviet bloc, joined the EU and NATO in 2004.

Mai 8, 2012 Mieszko Dusautoy (BRUXELLES2)

Le Traité sur le Commerce des Armes (TCA), instrument juridique contraignant, est en négociation à l’échelle de l’ONU. La dernière phase des négociations aura lieu en juillet lors d’une conférence de 4 semaines qui doit aboutir à la signature du texte du TCA. Les Européens intensifient leur travail pour arriver à parler d’une seule voix et peser dans les négociations. En effet si l’Union Européenne participera à cette conférence en tant qu’observateur, avec le droit de parole, elle ne peut pas voter. Elle entend donc que ses Etats Membres adoptent une même stratégie de négociation. C’est l’avis du Service Européen d’Action Extérieure comme des eurodéputés, qui ont débattu (aujourd’hui) sur la question lors d’une réunion extraordinaire de la sous-commission Sécurité et Défense.

Harmoniser le droit international pour défendre les intérêts européens

Il y a consensus en Europe sur la nécessité d’un tel traité au niveau mondial: à l’échelle européenne, les règles sont déjà assez strictes (surtout au niveau national, dans certains pays plus particulièrement, comme l’Allemagne). Au niveau de l’UE, une Position Commune de 2008 établit ces règles pour les exportations, selon 8 critères (respect des conventions internationales, situation politique et respect des droits de l’Homme dans le pays destinataire, risque de transfert vers d’autres pays, etc). Pour certains critères, l’exportation est  automatiquement déclarée illégale s’ils ne sont pas respectés. Pour d’autres, il y a alors une évaluation au cas par cas.

L’enjeu du TCA pour les Etats Membres est donc de mettre sur un pied d’égalité le secteur de l’armement européen avec celui d’autres régions, qui ne bénéficient pas d’un contrôle aussi serré. Notamment les Etats-Unis et la Russie. Rappelons que le marché de l’armement est dominé par un petit nombre d’exportateurs, et si les USA sont largement en tête avec 53,7% des exportations pour la période 2005-2009, l’Union Européenne représente tout de même 29%. Il s’agit donc pour les européens de lutter contre la concurrence déloyale d’autres acteurs. Les Etats Membres entendent donc soutenir leur industrie dans ce secteur qui, comme l’a rappelé l’eurodéputée Anneli Jäättenmäki (ALDE, Finlande, rapporteure sur la résolution du PE sur les négociations du TCA), reste en pleine croissance malgré la crise et représente beaucoup d’emplois.

Une seule voix pour l’UE? Pas si facile…

Toutefois, tous les Etats Membres n’ont pas la même approche: le secteur de l’armement est plus important pour certains (le Royaume-Uni (12,5% des exportations mondiales) et la France (6%)) que pour d’autres. Par conséquent, « la cohésion de l’UE peut être mise à l’épreuve » a déclaré Fabio Della Piazza, président du groupe de travail « commerce des armes conventionnelles » (COARM) du Conseil et en charge de la question au SEAE. Ce dernier avait d’ailleurs rappelé en avril dernier qu’officiellement, il n’y avait pas de position commune de l’UE pour ces négociations à l’ONU. Les eurodéputés appellent cependant les Etats-Membres à parvenir à un accord et parler d’une seule voix.

A priori, le TCA devrait donc être moins strict que les règles déjà en pratique en Europe: l’important est plutôt de donner un cadre juridique contraignant à des pays qui n’en ont pas encore, c’est-à-dire plus de 40 pays membres de l’ONU selon  l’eurodéputée Tarja Cronberg (Verts, Finlande). « Soyons réalistes » a donc déclaré celle-ci. Il est « probable qu’entre les Etats Membres on doive s’accorder sur des critères moins stricts » que ceux existant déjà dans l’UE, selon Fabio Della Piazza. Le TCA devrait de toute façon rester compatible avec les règles européennes, en autorisant ses signataires à adopter des mesures plus fortes.

Comme les eurodéputés l’ont fait remarquer, l’important est tout autant, voire plus, de veiller à la bonne mise en œuvre et le respect en pratique du traité. Ce qui est une autre question…

May 7th, 2012 By UK Ministry of Defence

Defence Secretary Philip Hammond spoke about how Germany and Britain are responding to today’s security during a speech in Berlin yesterday, 2 May 2012.

Mr Hammond was hosted by the Deutsche GesellschaftfürAuswärtigePolitik (German Council on Foreign Relations) in Berlin, and his speech was titled ‘Shared Security: Transforming Defence to Face the Future’.

In his speech, Mr Hammond explained that, unlike during the Cold War, a defensive crouch posture or ‘Fortress Europe’ will not meet the needs of national or regional security in this new era. This means intervening beyond the borders of the European Union when necessary.

He also emphasised that with the United States beginning to focus on Asia, Germany should join with the UK and France in transforming their armed forces and generate both the military capability and political will to deploy military resources more widely in future in support of NATO, the EU and coalition operations.

Mr Hammond, reflecting on changes in Berlin over the past 40 years, said that the reunification of the city, with many of the old certainties and familiar features disappearing, was a metaphor for the wider changes that have taken place in the 20 years since the Wall came down, across the globe, and in the strategic security environment in particular. He said:

“The Cold War imposed order and a degree of certainty… the enemy was known and was pretty predictable.

“In divided Europe, NATO and the Warsaw Pact understood the boundaries and operated by a set of rules and understandings.

“But in pure power-balance terms, we have swapped the certainty of a known and predictable enemy for a world of shifting power balances, emerging, independent challengers, and diverse non-state threats.

“So that a myriad of lesser, but nonetheless potentially devastating threats, emerge to make our societies in some ways less safe, less secure, and less certain in facing the future.”

Facing the future

Mr Hammond said that this unpredictability and rapid change in the threats we face makes it all the more important that our respective armed forces, and our collective defence arrangements, are correctly configured to meet the requirements of today – and prepared, at the same time, for what is around the next corner.

The central argument in his speech, Mr Hammond said, was this:

“The responsibility of European nations to defend their citizens can no longer be discharged by a strategy of homeland defence and a ‘Fortress Europe’.

“The threats we face are no longer territorial, so a passive defence of national territory is no longer adequate protection for our citizens.

“Our security requires that we do not sit back and let threats come to us, but that we project power to meet them – wherever in the world they are forming.”

Mr Hammond said, therefore, that the NATO Alliance, and the European part of it in particular, must continue to develop together the capability and the political will to act when necessary – to project power, including, but not limited to, military power, and to deploy it rapidly when we must.

The need for transformation

Mr Hammond talked about Operation UNIFIED PROTECTOR being a coalition success, and, for the people of Libya, a liberation they can justly claim to have seen through themselves.

It has reconfirmed the utility of NATO as the most successful tool for collective defence ever created, he affirmed, adding:

“But the Libya operation also cruelly exposed the imbalances and weaknesses in the Alliance and thus the scale of the task facing European NATO nations.

“Even with the very limited nature of the Libya campaign, the nations of Europe could not have undertaken this operation without the US shouldering much of the weight.

“We know what the problems are. Too many allies are failing to meet their financial responsibilities to NATO. Too many countries are failing to build and maintain appropriate capabilities to meet the new threats we face, or to make them available for operations.”

Mr Hammond said that while we have known about these deficiencies for many years, we can no longer afford to carry on as before, because the United States has made clear that it intends to reflect in its strategic posture the growing importance of the developing challenges in the Pacific:

“Let me be clear about this – it is in Europe’s interest that the United States rises to the challenge that the emergence of China as a global power presents and we should support the decisions the US has made.

“But that means we, the nations of Europe, must take on more responsibility for our own backyard; shouldering the major burden in the Balkans and the Mediterranean, but also being prepared, if necessary, to take a bigger role in relation to North Africa and the Middle East.

“This isn’t about the United States walking away; this is about the nations of Europe taking more of the strain of our collective defence in our own region. Responding to the threats that most directly impact on us.”

Fiscal realities

Mr Hammond acknowledged the ‘fiscal challenges’, saying:

“Without strong economies and sound public finances it will be impossible to sustain in the long term the military capability required across Europe to maintain collective defence and, when necessary, project power to confront threats as they form abroad.

“Yet, in the long run, all NATO members, if they benefit from collective defence, must contribute appropriately to it.

“Each of us must live up to the responsibility to fund national defence properly as a contribution to the Alliance – a responsibility which we reconfirmed as recently as 2010 at the Lisbon Summit.

“But in the short term – when pressures on national budgets are so severe – it is frankly a waste of breath to call for more defence spending to bridge the gap between what the Alliance needs and what the Alliance has. So, for now, more money is not going to be the answer.”

Mr Hammond said therefore that we must do things differently:

• maximising the capability we can squeeze out of the resources we have.
• prioritising ruthlessly; specialising aggressively and collaborating unsentimentally.
• investing in capability that is fully deployable, and available for collective defence action – if necessary outside Europe’s borders.
• working together to do more, with less.

Collective Defence

Mr Hammond said that the UK’s National Security Strategy and Germany’s Defence Policy Guidelines come to the same conclusion: to tackle the threats we share in common we need to act in common through all the institutions that exist to provide us with a collective response – the UN, NATO, and the EU among them:

“The challenge is to produce extra military effect, and do it swiftly, without duplicating effort or reinventing proven structures that already exist,” Mr Hammond said.

“This will need to begin with a clear-sighted assessment of the current state of NATO’s collective competence, taking account of what we know of reductions already planned and how these will impact on current capabilities. And a willingness to recognise the gap between that capability and NATO’s stated level of ambition.

“This will provide a baseline against which to take the right decisions: greater pooling and sharing of capabilities; mission, role and geographic specialisation; greater sharing of technology; co-operation on logistics; and more collaborative training.

Multilayered Defence

For Britain, Mr Hammond said, ‘Smart Defence’ is also about making the Alliance more flexible, encouraging collaboration among groups of Allies and with partners outside the Alliance:

“We need an approach that allows natural bilateral partnerships or regional groupings within the Alliance and across its boundaries to flourish – adding value to the capabilities available to the Alliance as a whole.”

Britain is actively pursuing such collaborative initiatives, Mr Hammond said, citing the new Northern Group of nations, including Germany, the Baltic and Nordic countries as well as the UK, and the Franco-British Defence Treaties as part of this process.

And the UK would welcome an enhanced defence and security relationship with Germany, Mr Hammond added, based on the areas where we can best add to Alliance capability through bilateral co-operation:

“We should work towards common positions in NATO and the EU, identifying reasons for any disagreements and tackling them head on, while building on the many areas of agreement as a foundation of our future co-operation.”

Capability and deployability

Mr Hammond spoke about how the British Armed Forces that will emerge from our Defence Review will be formidable, flexible and adaptable – equipped with some of the best and most advanced technology in the world, supported by the fourth largest defence budget in the world, meeting in full our NATO responsibilities.

He said the watchword for the transformation process has been capability, not size, adding:

“This focus on capability rather than size is one of the most positive outcomes, I believe, that is emerging from the German transformation programme.

“A new phase and a significant step forward in Germany’s post-Cold-War reconfiguration to face the future symbolised by the commitment made to the mission in Afghanistan.

“For both Britain and Germany, the test of transformation will be the ability to generate the level of military capability set out in our plans.

“But it will also rely, in Germany in particular, on the ability to generate the political will and public support for the deployment of military resources more widely in the future in support of Alliance operations beyond our borders.

“By refocusing existing budgetary resources on more deployable capabilities, Germany has probably a greater capacity than any other European NATO partner to contribute to short-term enhancement of the Alliance’s capabilities.”

In conclusion, Mr Hammond said that it is in all our interests to encourage Germany to realise that potential.

Lt Col Fabio Antognini, Test Pilot Swiss Air Force flies Gripen E/F together with Chief Test Pilot at Saab, Richard Ljungberg. Photo: Stefan Kalm

4 May 2012, in News - saabgroup.com

Under clear blue skies, a team of test pilots and flight test engineers from the Swiss Air Force and the Swiss federal defence procurement agency, Armasuisse, visited Saab in Linköping in Sweden to perform test flights with the Gripen E/F test aircraft.

On 30 November last year the Federal Council selected Gripen E/F as the preferred candidate to replace the Swiss Air Force's ageing fleet of Northrop F-5E/F Tiger. The Swiss Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports (DDPS) was commissioned to start discussions with Saab and the Swedish Government to optimize Saab's offer. The negotiations continue according to plan and the test flights in Sweden are part of the on-going process.

The three day programme, conducted between 2-4 May, included simulator training and four test flights. The test flights focused on air defense and air policing mission profiles with different weapon configurations, which included IRIS-T as well as both METEOR and AMRAAM.

“We tested the flight performance simulating an operational air defense mission profile.The flight was packed with test points. We were able to perform them all. A successful flight”, Lt Col Fabio Antognini, Swiss Air Force

“We performed flight performance tests using an air policing scenario. We simulated a quick reaction alert and a maximum performance intercept to high altitude and supersonic speed. We tested the engine in the entire envelope and are pleased with the results.” says Bernhard Berset, Chief Test Pilot at Armasuisse.

Bernhard Berset, Chief Test Pilot VBS/armasuisse flies Gripen E/F

together with Chief Test Pilot at Saab, Richard Ljungberg.

Photo: Stefan Kalm

The Gripen E/F test programme is running according to plan. In the upcoming fourth phase of testing, Saab continues to integrate new leading-edge technologies which includes further enhancement of the avionics and displays. The radar system will also be further enhanced through the re-installation of a newer version of the AESA radar. The previous test phases have focused on areas such as flight handling, aerodynamics, performance improvements including the new GE F414G engine and increased weapon loads as well as the introduction of new sensors and new avionics in the aircraft.

“The co-operation between the two teams has been truly fantastic. We conducted four test flights with the Gripen E/F test aircraft, which performed, as ever, perfectly. We have really shown the growing capabilities of this aircraft and we demonstrated everything requested, including increased performance, handling and endurance,” says Richard Ljungberg, Chief Test Pilot, Saab.

Militaires allemands à Prizren (crédit Bundeswehr)

Mai 7, 2012 Nicolas Gros-Verheyde (BRUXELLES2)

Le gouvernement allemand a décidé de prolonger sa présence au Kosovo. Un projet approuvé par le « cabinet fédéral » a été présenté au Bundestag. Il prévoit un maximum de 1850 militaires qui pourraient être déployées dans l’ancienne province serbe.

L’Allemagne fournit actuellement le contingent le plus important à la KFOR (environ 1200 soldats sur un total de 6200). Le bataillon germano-autrichien de la force de réserve (ORF) a aussi été activé face à une situation qui pourrait être tendue, notamment au nord du Kosovo dans un contexte électoral en Serbie, avec un cycle électoral qui a commencé hier, 6 mai, et se poursuit le 20 mai. Cette réserve est tenue à tour de rôle par les Allemands et Autrichiens, et les Italiens. Elle se compose de 700 militaires dont 500 Allemands.

L’Allemagne contribue également à la formation des forces de sécurité du Kosovo (environ 2500 personnes), précise-t-on à Berlin. Et est aussi très présente dans la mission européenne « Etat de Droit » (EULEX Kosovo). Environ 125 experts allemands travaillent pour EULEX, dont près de 80 policiers.

May 4, 2012 ASDNews Source : European Space Agency (ESA)

The European Commission has announced the launch date of the next pair of ESA-procured Galileo satellites. These will be launched together on a Soyuz from French Guiana on 28 September, joining the two satellites already in orbit.

Antonio Tajani, Vice President of the European Commission, responsible for industry and entrepreneurship, announced the launch on 2 May in Brussels, together with Jean Yves Le Gall, Chairman and CEO of Arianespace, in the presence of industrial leaders involved in the programme, and in agreement with ESA’s Director of the Galileo Programme and Navigation-related Activities Didier Faivre.

The new launch will take place within a year of the first two Galileo In-Orbit Validation satellites, which reached orbit on 21 October 2011.

Four navigation satellites are the minimum needed for satellite navigation – to measure latitude, longitude and altitude while checking ranging accuracy – so these four Galileo satellites can be used to assess the performance of Galileo’s world-spanning ground system that serves to maintain the precision of the Galileo system.

In addition European industry should be able to test their own prototype Galileo-based receivers and services realistically against actual satellite signals.

About Galileo

Galileo is an initiative of the European Commission and ESA to provide Europe with an independent global satnav system. The Commission and ESA have signed a delegation agreement by which ESA acts as design and procurement agent on behalf of the Commission.

The full Galileo system will consist of 30 satellites in orbit overseen by control centres located in Europe and a global network of sensor stations and uplink stations.

Each satellite combines the best atomic clock ever flown for navigation – accurate to one second in three million years – with a powerful transmitter to broadcast precise navigation data worldwide.

The Galileo programme is structured in two phases, with the initial In-Orbit Validation phase consisting of deployment tests and the operation of four satellites and their associated ground infrastructure. This is followed by the Full Operational Capability phase, consisting of the deployment of the remaining ground and space infrastructure.

The definition phase and the development and In-Orbit Validation phase of the Galileo programme were carried out by ESA and co-funded by ESA and the European Commission.

The Full Operational Capability phase of the Galileo programme is managed and fully funded by the European Commission. The Commission and ESA have signed a delegation agreement by which ESA acts as design and procurement agent on behalf of the Commission.

Mai 4, 2012 Nicolas Gros-Verheyde (BRUXELLES2)

Le budget 2013 des opérations de la politique européenne de sécurité et de défense commune (PeSDC) devrait augmenter d’environ 9%, passant de presque 363 millions d’euros à 396,3 millions d’euros (en engagements) et de 303 M€ à 320,5 M€ (en paiements), selon un projet de budget distribué qui vient d’être distribué par la Commission européenne aux diplomates des Etats membres. Une augmentation qui peut en pourcentage sembler importante, mais mise au regard des enjeux géopolitiques et des montants en jeu, est relativement faible.

Parmi les grosses opérations en cours (EUMM Georgia, EULEX Kosovo, EUPOL Afghanistan), une seule bénéficie d’une hausse (*) : EUPOL Afghanistan qui passe de 53 à 61 millions d’euros. Les deux autres diminuent :de 31 à 23 M€ pour EUMM Georgia; de 155 à 140 M€ pour EULEX Kosovo. Le budget réservé aux autres opérations de la PSDC augmente, passant de 61,7 M€ à 90 M€. Augmentation logique puisque trois nouvelles opérations (EUCAP Nestor Corne de l’Afrique, EUAVSEC Juba Sud-Soudan et l’opération au Niger) seront lancées. Lire aussi : 3,5 missions de la PeSDC dans les startings block

Parmi les autres budgets, notons la quasi stabilité des mesures de non-prolifération et désarmement 19,5 M€ en 2013 contre 20 M€ en 2012), les mesures d’urgence (34 M€ contre 35 M€), les mesures préparatoires qui augmentent légèrement (8,33 M€ contre 6,75 M€) ou le support administratif à la PESC (0,5 M€). Le budget alloué aux représentants spéciaux se monte à 20 millions d’euros.

(*) Nous parlons ici d’engagements. Et il s’agit uniquement des missions civiles de la PeSDC. Les missions militaires ne sont financées sur le budget communautaire

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Mai 4, 2012 Nicolas Gros-Verheyde (BRUXELLES2)

Après la chute du gouvernement de centre-droit dirigé par Mihai Razvan Ungureanu, sur fond d’austérité, un nouveau gouvernement de centre-gauche cette fois a été constitué dirigé par Victor Ponta, jeune procureur de 39 ans et chef du parti social-démocrate. De nouvelles têtes font ainsi leur apparition à la Défense et aux Affaires étrangères. Mais pas aux Affaires européennes. La personnalité du nouveau ministre de la Défense, un général, est cependant fort critiquée en Roumanie. Car l’homme a un passé… NB : On peut remarquer que c’est, en Europe, le second général, en quelques mois à arriver à la tête d’un ministère de la Défense, après l’Italie et le général Di Paola. Décidément, ca devient un réflexe en temps de crise. 

Défense : Corneliu Dobritoiu est nommé ministre de la Défense.

Il est membre du Parti national libéral PNL. Général de l’armée, il a occupé plusieurs postes de responsabilité au ministère de la Défense. Né en 1955, à Bucarest, diplômé de l’Académie des forces terrestres « Nicolae Bălcescu » à Sibiu et de l’Académie des études militaires à Bucarest, Dobritoiu a été très impliqué dans les structures de l’OTAN et dans le rapprochement de son pays avec l’Alliance atlantique. Il a commencé à travailler dans les structures du ministère de la Défense en 1994, d’abord comme expert sur l’analyse politique et militaire. Entre 1998 et 2000, il travaille à l’état-major militaire international de l’OTAN à la Direction de la coopération et de la sécurité régional. A son retour en Roumanie, il devient chef de l’intégration euro-atlantique et des relations internationales du ministère de la Défense (2000-2004). Il suit les cours du collège de l’OTAN à Rome en 2004 et est secrétaire d’État adjoint du Ministère de la Défense et chef de l’intégration euro-atlantique et la politique de défense, puis en 2006 chef du département pour la politique de défense et de la planification du ministère. Il occupe même durant un court interlude (quelques semaines) à l’automne 2006 le poste de vice-ministre de la Défense, après que Teodor Athanasiu ait été suspendu de son poste par le président Traian Basescu. Il devient en janvier 2009 secrétaire d’Etat à la Défense, responsable du Département de l’armement. Il est promu au grade de général de brigade (1 étoile) en décembre 2002, obtient sa 2e étoile en décembre 2004, sa troisième étoile en 2006.

Il est marié et père de deux enfants. Et c’est là où le bat blesse. Le problème – à en croire la presse roumaine (lire ici) – est qu’il n’est pas tout blanc. Il a ainsi  été impliqué dans les années 2000 dans l’affaire d’achat de biens immobiliers consentis à des officiers supérieurs à des prix très bas. Il aurait ainsi acheté en 2005 un appartement de 115 mètres carrés à Bucarest pour un prix établi (un an plus tard) à 26.000 euros, revendu un an plus tard, 8 fois plus : 200.000 euros. Belle pirouette. Sa femme est active dans des sociétés, notamment TMS România filiale d’une société belge, qui vend des pièces de rechange pour camions et la machinerie utilisés dans la construction, et a reçu plusieurs contrats de l’Etat, notamment avec la Société nationale des autoroutes et routes nationales (CNADNR) en 2008-2012. Idem pour son fils et sa fille également dans les affaires.

Affaires étrangères : Andrei Margaar

Professeur de philosophie et ancien recteur de l’Université Babes-Bolyai de Cluj, ancien ministre de l’Education (1997-2000), Margaar n’a pas vraiment d’expérience de la diplomatie. Il est membre du Parti national libéral PNL.

Affaires européennes : Leonard Orban

Pas de changement. Ministre dans le gouvernement sortant, il reste à son poste. Orban a été commissaire européen chargé du multilinguisme et était le chef négociateur pour la Roumanie lors de son accession à l’Union européenne.