26 septembre 2018 | International, Aérospatial, Naval, Terrestre, C4ISR, Sécurité
By: Martin Banks
BRUSSELS — The European Union security chief Julian King has called for the “closest possible cooperation” on defense and security issues after the U.K. leaves the 28-member bloc.
“On some issues there will be winners and losers, but there is a mutual, shared self-interest when it comes to security and defense,” King said.
Despite the failure of last week's EU summit in Salzburg, Austria, to back British Prime Minister Theresa May's latest Brexit proposals, King remains “optimistic” the U.K. and EU could continue to work together on security and defense.
Some have questioned the effectiveness of European defense and security after the departure of the U.K. Britain is the second-largest net contributor to the EU, and its exit will result in an income shortfall of about €84 billion (U.S. $99 billion) for the EU's next spending period from 2020.
Another problem, according to U.S. President Donald Trump, is the continued “unwillingness of some member states to contribute more” to NATO.
Speaking at a security debate in Brussels, King highlighted cyber and the ongoing threat from terrorism as key areas where the two sides must cooperate post Brexit, which will occur at the end of March 2019.
“Of course, there are still a few things still to resolve between now and March, and the economic side will be tough. But we need the closest possible cooperation in tackling the security challenges we both face, and I am optimistic we can do this,” he said.
“Those people who are trying to harm us do not make a distinction between member states. We are facing shared threats, which are best tackled if we act together. This is true today, and it will be true after March 2019. It is this shared self-interest that I believe will drive cooperation on the security side,” he added.
There was “no dispute” on the need to support member states in the security and defense field, according to King, but rather the challenge is finding ways to strengthen such collaboration.
He praised recent EU investment in new security and defense initiatives, such as the Permanent Structured Cooperation and the Coordinated Annual Review on Defence, which, he pointed out, involve “tens of billions of euros.”
While the EU was “doing OK” in tackling the twin threats posed by cyberwarfare and terrorism, he conceded that there is “an enormous amount still to do.”
One example, he said, involves addressing artificial intelligence. This could be a force for both good and bad, he suggested, but the EU has been “slow” in responding to the challenges posed by AI.
King's comments were echoed by Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, NATO secretary general from 2004-2009, who said he also hopes that, post Brexit, the EU and U.K. will enjoy the “closest possible cooperation” on defense and security issues. “Yes, we all want the EU to take more responsibility in the defense sphere, but you have to ask: ‘What is European defense without the U.K.?' ”
Both were speaking during “A Brave New World,” a debate organized by Friends of Europe, a leading Brussels-based think tank.
Elsewhere, a leading U.K.-based academic warned that the “Salzburg impasse” puts EU-U.K. security cooperation at risk. Last week's summit of EU leaders in Salzburg ended acrimoniously with the EU saying May's trade proposals “would not work.” This has led May to demand “more respect” from the EU side.
Dimitrios Giannoulopoulos, a professor at the University of London, said that “reaching a new security agreement independently of the main Brexit negotiations will be easier said than done.”
“The threat of a ‘no deal' Brexit would seriously disrupt U.K. and EU capabilities in the fight against terrorism and organized crime, at a time when the EU is committed to stepping up its efforts to improve judicial and police cooperation in Europe," he said.
Speaking separately, Gordon Sondland, the new U.S. ambassador to the EU, has pledged to work with the EU “honestly and constructively to address the global security threats that seek to destroy our shared history, values and culture.”
“Whether defeating the Islamic State, countering North Korea's belligerency or ensuring energy supplies will never be used for political coercion, we will stand together," the diplomat said. "There are a wealth of issues we can tackle together. From malign Russian activity (ranging from disinformation campaigns to invasion and occupation of sovereign nations), to data privacy, to Iran — yes, even Iran — we work best when we work in tandem.”
3 mars 2021 | International, Aérospatial, Naval
The Bell-Boeing Joint Project Office received a$309.5 million Navy contract to deliver four CMV-22B Osprey helicopters, the Defense Department said last week.
25 octobre 2018 | International, Naval
By: Tom Kington ROME — Defying reports that their planned partnership is doomed to fail, France's Naval Group and Italy's Fincantieri have announced a joint venture to build and export naval vessels. The two state-controlled shipyards said they were forming a 50-50 joint venture after months of talks to integrate their activities. The move comes as Europe's fractured shipbuilding industry faces stiffer global competition. The firms said in a statement that the deal would allow them to “jointly prepare winning offers for binational programs and export market,” as well as create joint supply chains, research and testing. Naval Group and Fincantieri first announced talks on cooperation last year after the latter negotiated a controlling share in French shipyard STX. But the deal was reportedly losing momentum due to resistance from French industry and a political row between France and Italy over migrants. The new deal falls short of the 10 percent share swap predicted by French Economy and Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire earlier this year, and far short of the total integration envisaged by Fincantieri CEO Giuseppe Bono. The statement called the joint venture the “first steps” toward the creation of an alliance that would create “a more efficient and competitive European shipbuilding industry.” Naval Group CEO Hervé Guillou, speaking at the Euronaval trade expo in Paris on Oct. 24, said the alliance is based on “two countries sharing a veritable naval ambition.” The joint venture is necessary because the “context of the global market has changed drastically,” he added, specifically mentioning new market entrants Russia, China, Singapore, Ukraine, India and Turkey. When asked about an initial product to be tackled under the alliance, Guillou acknowledged: “The answer is simple: there is nothing yet.” However, the firms said they are working toward a deal to build four logistics support ships for the French Navy, which will be based on an Italian design. The firms also plan to jointly bid next year on work for midlife upgrades for Horizon frigates, which were built by France and Italy and are in service with both navies. The work would include providing a common combat management system. The statement was cautious about future acceleration toward integration. “A Government-to-Government Agreement would be needed to ensure the protection of sovereign assets, a fluid collaboration between the French and Italian teams and encourage further coherence of the National assistance programs, which provide a framework and support export sales,” the statement said. But the firms were optimistic the deal would be “a great opportunity for both groups and their eco-systems, by enhancing their ability to better serve the Italian and French navies, to capture new export contracts, to increase research funding and, ultimately, improve the competitiveness of both French and Italian naval sectors.” Sebastian Sprenger in Paris contributed to this report. https://www.defensenews.com/digital-show-dailies/euronaval/2018/10/24/naval-group-fincantieri-join-forces-to-survive-competitive-global-shipbuilding-industry
14 décembre 2024 | International, Aérospatial
The U.S. recovered parts of the downed Reaper and destroyed the rest.