Nouvelles

WASHINGTON — The United States is actively pursuing a change to a major arms control treaty that would open the door for wider exports of military drones. The proposed change to the Missile Technology Control Regime would make it easier for nations to sell the systems, also known as unmanned aerial vehicles or UAVs, that fly under 650 km per hour, according to multiple sources who are aware of the efforts. The MTCR is an agreement among 35 nations that governs the export of missiles and UAVs. Under the terms of the MTCR, any “category-1” system capable of carrying 500-kilogram payloads for more than 300 kilometers is subject to a “strong presumption of denial.” Proponents of UAV exports argue that language, while appropriate for curtailing the sale of cruise missiles, should not group together expandable weapons and unmanned systems. Instead, they argue, UAVs should be looked at the same way fighter jets or other high-tech military vehicles are. As part of an effort to find a compromise, American officials floated a white paper during the latest plenary session on the MTCR in October, proposing new language to the treaty: that any air vehicle that flies under 650 kilometers per hour would drop to “category-2” and thus be subject to approval on a case-by-case basis. A State Department official confirmed to Defense News that the U.S. presented the white paper, and that American negotiators have zeroed in on the speed of the vehicles as a potential change to the treaty. However, the official declined to comment on the exact speed under consideration. “I can't confirm any specific numbers because it's treated — inside the MTCR — as proprietary ... particularly because there's a deliberative process,” the official said. “But I can tell you that speed is the thing that we, based on industry input and all, have looked at. And that's what we have discussed with partners. And I know other governments are also looking at speed as well, so we're all sort of coming to a similar conclusion.” Under the MTCR, a “presumption of denial” about exports for category-1 systems exists. In essence, that means countries tied into the MTCR need to have a very compelling case to sell them. However, the speed change, if adopted, would result in most drones used by the U.S. military dropping down from category-1 to category-2, allowing the U.S. to sell them through the traditional foreign military sale or direct commercial sale methods. “Treating drones as missiles is fundamentally incoherent. It reflects a 1980s view of the technology,” said Michael Horowitz, a former Pentagon official now with the University of Pennsylvania who has studied drone issues. “To the extent creating a speed delineation helps you get around that problem, it's a good practical solution.” The impact of speed Most medium-altitude, long-endurance systems like General Atomics' MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper fly at slow speeds, with the Reaper clocking in with a cruise speed of 230 mph or 370 kph, according to an Air Force facts sheet. Northrop Grumman's RQ-4 Global Hawk, a high-altitude ISR drone, flies only at a cruise speed of about 357 mph or 575 kph. The 650 kph ceiling would also keep the door open for companies developing cutting-edge rotorcraft that could be modified in the future to be unmanned — a key request made by the companies involved in the Future Vertical Lift consortium, said one industry source. Those companies include Bell Helicopter and a Sikorsky-Boeing team, both of which are developing high-speed rotorcraft that can fly at excess of 463 kph, or 250 knots, for the Army's Joint Multi Role technology demonstrator program. However, the limitation would ensure that some of the United States' most technologically advanced UAVs stay out of the grasp of other nations. For example, it would prevent the proliferation of jet-powered, fast moving flying wing drones like Boeing's Phantom Ray and Northrop Grumman's X-47B demonstrators, both of which can cruise at near-supersonic speeds. While the UAV industry wants the U.S. government to pick up the pace on drone export reform, the State Department and other agencies argue that a prudent approach is needed. For example, any change to the MTCR that loosens restrictions on low-speed drones also needs to be closely examined to ensure that missile technology is still strictly controlled. “We don't want any unintended consequences, so it has to be crafted carefully. We don't want to inadvertently drop something else out like a cruise missile,” the State Department official said. The focus on speed is particularly smart at a time when countries are focused on increasing the speed of their munitions, Horowitz said. He pointed to growing investments in hypersonic weapons as an example where creating a speed delineation in the MTCR would allow the U.S. to push for greater UAV exports while “holding the line on exports of next-generation missiles.” Industry desires Industry has long argued that the United States has taken an overly proscriptive route, hamstringing potential drone sales to allies and pushing them into the arms of more nefarious actors such as China, the other major UAV producer on the worldwide market. Modifying the MTCR is just one facet of the Trump administration's review of drone export policy, which also includes taking a second look at domestic regulations that can be amended by the president at will. Because changes to the MTCR require consensus among the regime's 35 member countries, industry sees it as a direly-needed, but long-term solution. “Now we have lighter-than-air vehicles; we have intelligence, surveillance reconnaissance [UAVs]. We still have cruise missiles, we have aircraft that could autonomous for cargo and other purposes. But [the MTCR] doesn't distinguish between any of that, so a revisit of those MTCR rules is in order for things that fly and can fly autonomously,” said Aerospace Industries Association President David Melcher during a December 14 roundtable with reporters. American firms are particularly concerned about losing out on sales in the Middle East. China has already exported its Wing Loong — a medium altitude, long endurance UAV that resembles General Atomics' MQ-1 Predator — to multiple countries worldwide, including some close U.S. partners such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Meanwhile, sales of U.S.-made drones have been rarer, with many Middle Eastern countries such as the UAE only able to buy unarmed versions of American UAVs, even though those nations regularly purchase more technologically advanced weaponry like fighter jets from the United States. The State official noted that any change in the MTCR would not need to wait until the next plenary session, but could be introduced in some form as early as an April technical meeting. And at least one industry source was optimistic about the administration's MTCR reform plan. “They're taking a pretty smart process in not trying to tackle everything at once, but trying to get some of the language corrected in small bites,” the source said. “I don't see this as being an overnight process. I don't think we're going to end up in the next six months with a brand new MTCR policy.” However, Horowitz warned that the nature of the MTCR, where any single country could veto such a change, means getting any changes will not be easy. Russia, for example, could block the move not on technical reasons but geopolitical ones, given relations between Moscow and Washington. If that happens, Horowitz noted, the U.S. could potentially look to apply the 650 kph speed definition on its own, something possible because of the voluntary nature of the MTCR. https://www.defensenews.com/air/2017/12/19/heres-how-the-trump-administration-could-make-it-easier-to-sell-military-drones/

WASHINGTON — A large number of American companies supplying the U.S. military may have left the defense market, according to a study announced Thursday, raising alarm over the health and future of the defense industrial base. The Center for Strategic and International Studies study said the number of first-tier prime vendors declined by roughly 17,000 companies, or roughly 20 percent, between 2011 and 2015. The full study, due to be released in January, was authored by CSIS Defense-Industrial Initiatives Group Director Andrew Hunter, Deputy Director Gregory Sanders and Research Associate Rhys McCormick. It was sponsored by the Naval Postgraduate School and co-produced by the Aerospace Industries Association, which released an executive summary on Dec. 14, the day of its annual aerospace and defense luncheon in Washington. The authors, who used publicly available contract data, write that it's unclear — due to the limitations in the subcontract database —whether the companies have exited the industrial base entirely or still perform work at the lower tiers. “There is no doubt that a huge portion of the recent turbulence in the defense industrial base has taken place among subcontractors, who are less equipped to tolerate the defense marketplace's funding uncertainly and often onerous regulatory regime — yet it remains extremely difficult to determine the real impact of these conditions on subcontractors,” the authors conclude. Further details may yet be revealed by the Trump administration's ongoing review of the resiliency of the defense-industrial base. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis' assessment is due to President Donald Trump by mid-April 2018. The CSIS summary links 2011 Budget Control Act caps, subsequent short-term budget agreements, and Congress' “unpredictable and inconsistent” appropriations process to the “lost suppliers, changes in competition and market structure, and other turmoil” it found. The years 2011-2015 are considered a period of defense drawdown and decline. The authors, rather than focus strictly on the total decline of defense contract obligations over the entire period, chose to chart the “whipsaw” effect that struck certain sectors of the industrial base amid the imposition of sequestration in 2013 and subsequent budget caps. Though the defense budget had been declining in the years leading up to the Budget Control Act, the implementation of an across-the-board sequestration budget cut in 2013 “marked a severe market shock that had a considerable impact on the defense industry,” the authors say. Compared to the pre-drawdown fiscal 2009-2010 period, the start of the drawdown in fiscal 2011-2012, average annual defense contract obligations dropped 5 percent. When sequestration was triggered in fiscal 2013, defense contract obligations dropped 15 percent from the previous year. Average annual defense contract obligations fell 23 percent during the so-called BCA decline period, fiscal 2013-2015. The Army, which has a checkered modernization history, bore the brunt of the decline. Average annual defense contracts dropped 18 percent at the start of the drawdown, then 35 percent during the BCA decline period. Missile defense contract obligations actually gained 7 percent at the start of the drawdown and then dropped only 3 percent under budget caps. During his presidency, Barack Obama reversed course from early cuts to missile defense to spur the development and deployment of missile defense systems in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Lockheed Martin CEO Marillyn Hewson reacted to the internally circulated findings earlier this month, saying budget cuts are responsible for the industry being “more fragile and less flexible than I've seen it, and I've been in the industry many, many years.” “What we've seen in the industry, I'll give you an example at Lockheed Martin: At the outset of budget cuts we were about 126,000 employees; today we are at 97,000 employees,” Hewson said at the Reagan National Defense Forum in California. “Our footprint has shrunk dramatically. We see some of our small and medium-sized business, some of the components that we need, there's one, maybe two suppliers in that field where there were many, many more before.” Budget cuts have squeezed the Defense Department to unduly prioritize low-cost contracts over innovation and investment. Cost “shootouts,” she said, are endangering the military's plans to grow in size and lethality. AIA Vice President for National Security Policy John Luddy said companies have coped through a variety of “healthy efficiencies,” such as mergers and acquisitions, consolidating facilities, exploring shared services, and offloading certain contracting activities. “Our companies have done an amazing job of managing the downturn, they've pulled all kinds of levels to make it work, they've shown the ingenuity of the American free market system,” Luddy said. “Nonetheless, the uncertainty of the budgeting process has become a huge challenge for us.” Army Secretary Mark Esper, formerly of Raytheon, warned lawmakers at a Senate hearing Dec. 7 that uneven funding is driving small suppliers — “an engine of innovation” — out of the defense sector. “If you're a small mom and pop shop out there, and I'm referring to my industry experience, it's hard for them to survive in the uncertain budgetary environment,” Esper said. “And we risk losing those folks who may over time decide that they're going to get out of the defense business and go elsewhere. So that's a big threat to our supply chains.” But the CSIS study found that small vendors either increased their share of platform portfolio contract obligations or held steady, while large and medium vendors were most harmed by the market shock from sequestration and the defense drawdown. https://www.defensenews.com/breaking-news/2017/12/14/american-exodus-17000-us-defense-suppliers-may-have-left-the-defense-sector/

The first meeting of the EU-Canada joint ministerial committee took place in Brussels on 4 December 2017. The committee adopted a joint statement: Joint statement: 'EU and Canada: A progressive and dynamic strategic partnership' "We are completely likeminded partners and since the signing of recent agreements our relations moved to an even deeper and stronger partnership. We are both committed and we are both supporting first of all multilateralism and rules-based international order. The importance of this could not be underestimated in these days. So our partnership is strong and beneficial not only for our citizens but also for serving a certain idea of multilateralism and of the world." Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy "From Canada's perspective, we value very much our partnership with the European Union and today more than ever we value what the European Union stands for in the world. It stands for democracy, it stands for a strong voice in support of human rights, the European Union is a strong voice in favour of the international rules-based order. We appreciate that, we support you and we are very grateful. We look forward to working as allies in all of these issues in the days and months to come." Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada EU-Canada bilateral relationship The committee agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the EU and Canada. The cooperation has entered a new era with the provisional application of the strategic partnership agreement (SPA) since 1 April 2017 and of the comprehensive economic and trade agreement (CETA) since 21 September 2017. The committee discussed in particular how to step up security and defence cooperation in areas such as crisis management and security, cyber security and responding to hybrid threats. The EU and Canada also committed to working together on gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. The Committee agreed that the EU and Canada will co-chair a Women Foreign Ministers meeting in 2018. The committee also reviewed how to strengthen EU-Canada cooperation in third countries in regions such as Latin America, the Caribbean and Africa. Foreign policy coordination A number of key issues on the international agenda were also discussed, including the situation in eastern Ukraine, Syria, Iraq, Iran, North Korea, Venezuela and Myanmar/Burma. Global issues The EU and Canada discussed global issues, including climate change, human rights and democracy, as well as migration and counter-terrorism. Signing ceremony In the margins of the meeting, the EU and Canada signed an agreement allowing for the exchange of classified information between them. This agreement enables greater cooperation, including in the framework of common security and defence policy (CSDP) missions and operations. http://www.consilium.europa.eu/fr/meetings/international-ministerial-meetings/2017/12/04/

Les entreprises démontreront leurs capacités de formation réelle, virtuelle et constructive au salon I/ITSEC 2017 Orlando, Floride, États-Unis, 27 novembre 2017 - Aujourd'hui au salon I/ITSEC (Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference), CAE et Rockwell Collins ont annoncé un accord de collaboration pour l'élaboration de solutions de formation réelles, virtuelles et constructives. Pendant le salon I/ITSEC, CAE (kiosque 1734) et Rockwell Collins (kiosque 2201) effectueront plusieurs démonstrations d'un exercice d'entraînement aux missions utilisant des éléments de formation réels, virtuels et constructifs totalement connectés. Un réel aéronef L-29 aux capacités réelles, virtuelles et constructives exploité par le Operator Performance Laboratory de l'Université d'Iowa sera mis en réseau avec plusieurs simulateurs virtuels et forces constructives afin de démontrer un environnement d'entraînement aux missions intégré, conjoint et multifacettes. Les vrais exercices d'entraînement auront lieu au salon I/ITSEC aux heures suivantes : Mardi 28 novembre de 12 h 30 à 13 h 15 et 14 h à 14 h 45 Mercredi 29 novembre de 12 h 30 à 13 h 15 et 14 h à 14 h 45 Les participants virtuels à la démonstration incluront des simulateurs d'aéronefs F/A-18 de couleur bleue et une plateforme de surveillance aérienne E-2 exploités dans le kiosque de Rockwell Collins et mis en réseau avec les simulateurs de systèmes de combat naval et les simulateurs de bureau pour aéronef télépiloté (ATP) fonctionnant dans le kiosque de CAE. Plusieurs éléments constructifs représentant des forces ennemies et alliées seront ajoutés dans les systèmes d'entraînement réels et virtuels pour démontrer les capacités de formation immersive réelle, virtuelle et constructive. CAE et Rockwell Collins effectueront conjointement des t'ches de commandement et contrôle pendant l'exercice. « L'entraînement intégré réel, virtuel et constructif devient essentiel dans un monde où les forces de défense cherchent à maintenir leur état de préparation et se préparer pour les missions opérationnelles tout en réduisant les coûts », déclara Gene Colabatistto, président de groupe, Défense et sécurité, pour CAE. Il ajoute : « En tant qu'intégrateur de systèmes d'entraînement, nous nous concentrons sur le soutien des exigences de préparation et de formation de nos clients et reconnaissons que la coopération et la collaboration seront nécessaires pour offrir des capacités d'entraînement intégrées réelles, virtuelles et constructives. » « En tant que leader reconnu des solutions aérospatiales fournissant de l'avionique pour des actifs humains et des systèmes de formation intégrés et produits virtuels, nous pourrons offrir des solutions pour rendre les entraînements réels, virtuels et constructifs plus habituels sans limites, permettant éventuellement à nos clients militaires d'atteindre leur état de préparation pour mission optimal » déclare Nick Gibbs, vice-président et directeur général des Solutions de formation et simulation chez Rockwell-Collins. La démonstration au salon I/ITSEC démontrera comment les environnements synthétiques construits selon différentes normes de bases de données peuvent être reliés et fonctionner ensemble dans le cadre d'un exercice de formation réelle, virtuel et constructif. Cela comprend l'utilisation de données synthétiques dans les casques de visualisation intégrée L-29 pour pilotes de Rockwell Collins. CAE et Rockwell Collins utiliseront également les protocoles de réseau standards de l'industrie de simulation interactive distribuée et de l'architecture de haut niveau pour relier les actifs réels, virtuels et constructifs. À propos de CAE La division Défense et sécurité de CAE aide ses clients à atteindre et à maintenir le meilleur état de préparation des missions qui soit. Nous sommes un intégrateur de systèmes de formation de classe mondiale qui offre un vaste éventail de centres et de services de formation et de produits de simulation dans les segments de marché des forces aériennes, des forces terrestres, des forces navales et de la sécurité publique. Nous desservons des clients mondiaux dans les domaines de la défense et de la sécurité par l'intermédiaire de nos opérations régionales au Canada, aux États-Unis et en Amérique latine, en Europe, au Moyen-Orient et en Afrique ainsi qu'en Asie-Pacifique, qui tirent profit de la gamme complète de capacités, de technologies et de solutions de CAE. CAE est un chef de file mondial en formation dans les domaines de l'aviation civile, de la défense et sécurité, et de la santé. Appuyés par 70 ans d'innovations, nous participons à la définition des normes mondiales en formation. Nos solutions innovatrices, qui vont de la formation virtuelle à l'entraînement en vol, rendent le transport aérien plus sécuritaire, gardent nos forces de défense prêtes pour leurs missions et améliorent la sécurité des patients. Nous avons la plus vaste présence mondiale de l'industrie, avec plus de 8 500 employés, 160 emplacements et centres de formation dans plus de 35 pays. Nous assurons chaque année la formation de plus de 120 000 membres d'équipage du secteur civil et du secteur de la défense et de milliers de professionnels de la santé dans le monde. www.cae.com Suivez-nous sur Twitter @CAE_Inc et @CAE_Defence À propos de Rockwell Collins Rockwell Collins (NYSE: COL) est l'un des leaders mondiaux de solutions aéronautiques de haute intégrité pour l'aviation commerciale et la défense Chaque jour, nous assurons aux pilotes une navigation sûre et fiable jusqu'aux quatre coins du monde; nous gardons les combattants connectés et informés sur le champ de bataille; nous transmettons des millions de messages aux compagnies aériennes et aux aéroports; et nous offrons confort et connectivité aux passagers durant leur voyage. Experts dans les domaines de l'avionique, de l'électronique et des intérieurs de cabine, des systèmes de gestion de l'information, des communications, des systèmes de formation et de simulation, nous offrons une gamme complète de produits et de services pour changer le futur de nos clients. Pour plus d'informations, rendez-vous surwww.rockwellcollins.com. Suivez-nous sur Twitter : @RockwellCollins http://www.cae.com/CAE-and-Rockwell-Collins-join-forces-to-develop-integrated-Live-Virtual-Constructive-training-solutions/?contextualBUID=103&LangType=1036

Fairbanks, Alaska, Nov. 27, 2017 – Maj. Jonathan “Spades” Gilbert, U.S. Air Force F-35 test pilot, demonstrates the handling qualities of Lockheed Martin's (NYSE: LMT) F-35 Lightning II during icy runway ground testing at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. The testing is part of the certification process for the Norwegian drag chute and continues over the next several weeks. Maj. Eskil Amdal, test pilot with the Royal Norwegian Air Force, is also participating. This initial testing is the first of two phases to ensure the F-35A can operate in these extreme conditions. The second phase of testing will deploy the Norwegian drag chute during landing operations and is planned for first quarter 2018 at Eielson. About the Norwegian F-35 Drag Chute The F-35A drag chute is designed to be installed on all of Norway's F-35As and is form fitted to ensure it maintains stealth characteristics while flying. Norway and Lockheed Martin are working with the Netherlands who is sharing in the development of this critical capability. The drag chute underwent initial wet and dry runway deployment testing at Edwards Air Force Base, California earlier this year. For additional information about the F-35 program, visit our website: www.f35.com. About Lockheed Martin Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 97,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. http://news.lockheedmartin.com/2017-11-27-Lockheed-Martin-F-35A-Icy-Runway-Testing-for-Norwegian-Drag-Chute-Underway-in-Alaska

According to the new market research report on "Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Drones Market by Type (Fixed Wing, VTOL, STUAS, MALE, HALE), Payload (Up to 150 and 600 kg), Component (Camera, Sensor), Application (Media & Entertainment, Precision Agriculture), and Geography - Global Forecast to 2023", the market is expected to grow from USD 17.82 Billion in 2017 to USD 48.88 Billion by 2023, at a CAGR of 18.32% during the forecast period. The growth of the UAV drones market is driven by factors such as increase in venture funding, rise in demand for drone-generated data in commercial applications, and rapid technological advancements. Military drones to capture the largest share of UAV drones market in 2017 Military drones are expected to capture the largest share of the UAV drones market in 2017. The military drones are being used successfully by defense agencies to guard their borders, to enforce law as well as for combat missions. For example, in September 2017, the US military launched six drone strikes against Islamic State positions in Libya. The adoption of military drones by various countries worldwide for military applications such as border security and spying is the key factor driving the growth of the military drones market. Sensors component estimated to grow at the highest rate during the forecast period Sensors are being used as payloads in UAVs for many commercial and military applications. Chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) and laser sensors in military drones are used for marking targets, guiding munitions, missile defense, electro-optical countermeasures, and in inertial navigation systems, among others. The growing demand for sensors to be used in such vital military applications is the key factor driving the growth of the market for sensors. North America expected to hold the largest share of the market during the forecast period The market for commercial drones in North America is expected to grow exponentially owing to the release of the Part 107 rule by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the US in August 2016. UAVs have been used by the countries in North America for military and defense applications; currently, drones are also adopted for various commercial applications such as media and entertainment, precision agriculture, law enforcement, inspection, and surveys. In Canada, UAVs have been used in diverse environments and high-risk roles such as atmospheric research, including weather and atmospheric gas sampling, and oceanographic research. The current market is dominated by the players such as Northrop Grumman (US), DJI (China), General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (US), Parrot (France), Thales (France), 3DR (US), Boeing (US), PrecisionHawk (US), Lockheed Martin (US), Textron (US), and AeroVironment (US). https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/commercial-drones.asp

DAVID PUGLIESE, OTTAWA CITIZEN More from David Pugliese, Ottawa Citizen The Canadian government highlighted at the recent Vancouver UN meeting its plan to have RCAF helicopters sent on United Nations missions. Canadian government statements talked about an Aviation Task Force of armed helicopters while government staff provided details that the rotary contribution could include four armed helicopters and two “utility helicopters.” Armed helicopters? That specific phrase was selected because the UN had asked for attack helicopters. Since Canada doesn't have attack helicopters, government officials figured they would use the phrase “armed” to make it appear like they were meeting UN needs. So Defence Watch asked what exactly the RCAF is committing to the UN. The armed helicopters will be Griffons, equipped with door guns, according to the Canadian Forces. The “utility” helicopters will be RCAF Chinooks. (the phrase utility helicopter in the Canadian context tends to refer to Griffons but in this case the government is using “utility” to refer to Chinooks). And when or where will these helicopters be deployed? No one knows. It could be a couple of years. http://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/defence-watch/whats-up-with-the-rcafs-helicopter-contribution-to-the-united-nations

On 20 November, the Council extended the mandate of the European Union Advisory Mission (EUAM) in Ukraine until 31 May 2019 and approved a budget of € 32 million for the next 18 months. The European Union Advisory Mission for Civilian Security Sector Reform Ukraine, EUAM Ukraine, has been deployed since December 2014, with a mandate to support Ukrainian state agencies in the reform of the civilian security sector. The mission is one of the central elements of the EU's enhanced support to the Ukrainian authorities in recent years. EUAM aims to strengthen and support reform in state agencies such as the police, other law enforcement agencies and the judicial sector, particularly the prosecutor's office. The mission provides strategic advice to the Ukrainian authorities, supported by operational activity, including training, to develop sustainable, accountable and efficient security services that strengthen the rule of law. This process is ultimately designed to restore the trust of the Ukrainian people in their civilian security services, which have been beset by allegations of corruption and malpractice. EUAM is an unarmed, non-executive civilian mission with its headquarters in Kyiv and regional presences in Lviv and Kharkiv, as well as soon in Odessa. http://www.consilium.europa.eu/fr/press/press-releases/2017/11/20/euam-ukraine-mission-extended-budget-approved/

The General Affairs Council today adopted conclusions calling for the strengthening of European cybersecurity and enhancing cyber resilience across the EU, in line with the tasking from the European Council in October 2017. The conclusions stress the need for all EU countries to make the necessary resources and investment available to address cybersecurity. They welcome the intention of increasing EU efforts in cybersecurity research and development by setting up a network of cybersecurity competence centres across the Union. The Council also backs the plan to set up a world-class European cybersecurity certification framework to increase trust in digital solutions. The conclusions highlight the important connection between trust in digital Europe and achieving cyber resilience across the EU. Significant attention is paid to the strength of cryptography used in products and services within the digital single market. Other measures highlighted by the Council include providing the necessary law enforcement tools to tackle cybercrime, developing a coordinated EU-level response to large-scale cyber incidents and crises, and conducting pan-European cybersecurity exercises on a regular basis. Regarding the global and diplomatic aspects of cybersecurity, the Council recognises the importance of international cooperation and welcomes the creation of a clear framework for using the political, diplomatic and economic tools available to the EU as a response to malicious cyber activities. "Cybercrime and state-sponsored malicious cyber activities are one of the largest global threats to our societies and economies. We already lose around €400 billion globally every year due to cyber-attacks. This clearly underlines the need for the EU to use the available tools to increase stability in cyberspace and respond to large-scale cyber incidents. The EU simply has to stay ahead of the game,” said Matti Maasikas, Estonia's Deputy Minister for European Affairs and chair of today's Council meeting. “Increasing our efforts and investment in cybersecurity is a pre-condition for building a strong and trusted digital single market for our citizens,” Maasikas added. http://www.consilium.europa.eu/fr/press/press-releases/2017/11/20/eu-to-beef-up-cybersecurity/