09 Sep 09. PARIS – A seventh edition of France’s high-level conference, dubbed Summer University of Defense, opens Sept. 10 at Saumur, central France, under the theme of “Reality of the crisis, the future of Defense.” Defense Minister Hervé Morin is expected to attend the plenary session, which considers the impact of the financial downturn on defense, on the first day of the two-day event. (Source: Defense News)
06 Sep 09. UK Trade & Investment, the government export promotion agency, invited a Chinese military delegation to Britain’s biggest arms fair (DSEi)even though China is still the subject of an official European-wide arms export ban. Approval for the visit was given by ministers in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Ministry of Defence while Lord Mandelson, the business minister responsible for UKTI, was also informed of the invitation, according to UKTI. (Source: FT.com)
BATTLESPACE Comment: The arrival of the Chinese delegation on U.S. Company stands caused considerable concern to stand officials, who were very concerned given the ITT situation where the Company was fined and barred from exhibiting Night Vison equipment overseas after Chinese involvement on a trade stand.