Defense: Sarkozy urged French companies to ally
Offensive. Nicolas Sarkozy did not mince words Monday in his opening address to the Air Show, which opened at Le Bourget. The Head of State urged the French industry to "meet the challenge of globalization" and to cooperate more. "We will encourage groups that strengthen our industrial champions," he said.
"The Franco-French squabbles must end in a good mood and on a voluntary basis, and if it was not the case, it would be always in good spirits but on the basis of instructions. The competition is too fierce, the stakes are too urgent. We must decide and decide now to make choices, "he said. The State may operate the levers being both client and principal shareholder of almost all defense companies: Saffron (30.2%), Thales (27%) and EADS (15%).The government press Safran and Thales to reach agreement on an asset swap. The first showing of the second avionics which, in turn, would become No. 2 worldwide in optronics. Similarly, for drones (pilotless aircraft), the State promotes cooperation. "France needs of global players. It is indisputable for Airbus civil aircraft, Eurocopter helicopters, engines, Safran and Thales in radar, but in defense of Europe pays core rivalry between the Rafale and the Eurofighter. Do not repeat this in the unmanned aircraft. Avoid the Europeans are divided, "said Gerard Longuet on his side. Decided to implement the Franco-British signed in late 2010, the defense minister is expected to announce shortly the creation of a Franco-British combination of branches in Armaments (DGA) on both sides of the Channel.
Two projects of drones
In this context, "Dassault Aviation and EADS have to talk a little more," said Gerard Longuet. Two projects are vying to give the kickoff to the creation of a European industry for so-called drones Male (medium altitude long endurance) by the year 2016-2018: the Telemos, which is the result of an agreement exclusive cooperation between BAE Systems prime contractor for the project, and French Dassault Aviation, systems manager, and the Talarion EADS.
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