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21 Mar 19. U.S. may soon pause preparations for delivering F-35s to Turkey. The United States could soon freeze preparations for delivering F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, officials told Reuters, in what would be the strongest signal yet by Washington that Ankara cannot have both the advanced aircraft and Russia’s S-400 air defence system. The United States is nearing an inflection point in a years-long standoff with Turkey, a NATO ally, after so far failing to sway President Tayyip Erdogan that buying a Russian air defence system would compromise the security of F-35 aircraft.
“The S-400 is a computer. The F-35 is a computer. You don’t hook your computer to your adversary’s computer and that’s basically what we would be doing,” Katie Wheelbarger, acting assistant secretary of defence for international security affairs, told Reuters.
While no decision has been made yet, U.S. officials confirmed that Washington was considering halting steps now underway to ready Turkey to receive the F-35, which is built by Lockheed Martin Corp.
“There (are) decisions that come up constantly about things being delivered in anticipation of them eventually taking custody of the planes,” said Wheelbarger.
“So there’s a lot of things in train that can be paused to send signals to them (that we’re serious),” she added, without detailing those steps.
However, another U.S. official said one of the measures the United States was looking at was alternatives to an engine depot in Turkey, without giving more details. The official said any potential alternatives would likely be somewhere in Western Europe. Turkey is home to an F-35 engine overhaul depot in the western city of Eskisehir.
If Turkey was removed from the F-35 programme, it would be the most serious crisis in the relationship between the two allies in decades, according to Bulent Aliriza, director of the Turkey project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
The strains on ties between Washington and Ankara already extend beyond the F-35 to include strategy in Syria, Iran sanctions and the detention of U.S. consular staff.
“This (the F-35 standoff) is really a symptom, not a cause of the problem between the two countries,” Aliriza said.
Many U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, worry that Turkey is drifting away from NATO and watch improving relations between Ankara and Moscow with concern. The prospect of Russian contractors or officials on Turkish bases that also are home to the F-35 is unfathomable to many U.S. officials.
The tensions could further escalate. If Ankara goes ahead with the Russian deal, Turkey also could face U.S. sanctions.
ERDOGAN IMPASSE
Despite U.S. hopes that Turkey may still forgo the S-400, experts say Erdogan may have already backed himself into a rhetorical corner. He has repeatedly said he would not reverse course on the S-400, saying earlier in March: “Nobody should ask us to lick up what we spat.”
A decision to drop Turkey from the F-35 programme would have broader repercussions, since Ankara helps manufacture parts for the aircraft, including components of the landing gear, cockpit displays and aircraft engines.
Wheelbarger acknowledged that the Pentagon, in light of the standoff, was looking “across the board” at potential alternate suppliers for F-35 parts, including in other NATO countries.
“It’s prudent programme planning…to ensure that you have stability in your supply chain,” she said, without speculating that Turkey might be dropped from the programme.
Washington has sought to persuade Turkey to purchase the American-made Raytheon Co Patriot defence system, instead of S-400s. Erdogan has said that Turkey was still open to buying Patriot systems from the United States but only if the conditions are suitable.
Pentagon spokesman Eric Pahon said that in addition to the Patriot air defence system, the American offer “includes significant government-to-government cooperation on advanced system development.”
Although Turkey has held out the prospect of buying both the S-400 and the Patriot system, the United States has warned Turkey it will take its offer of Patriots off the table unless it changes course.
A Turkish S-400 purchase could also trigger a fight with the U.S. Congress, which has already blocked all major arms sales to Ankara while the S-400 deal is pending. Lawmakers could renew attempts to introduce legislation that would legally prohibit the Trump administration from allowing Turkey to have the F-35 if it secures the S-400s. (Source: Reuters)
19 Mar 19. European Defence Fund on Track with €525m for Eurodrone and Other Joint Research and Industrial Projects. The Commission has today adopted work programmes to co-finance joint defence industrial projects in 2019-2020 worth up to €500m. A further €25m have been earmarked to support collaborative defence research projects in 2019, with calls for proposals launched today. The Juncker Commission is making an unprecedented effort to protect and defend Europeans. From 2021, a fully-fledged European Defence Fund will foster an innovative and competitive defence industrial base and contribute to the EU’s strategic autonomy. Through two precursors to the Fund, the Commission is taking steps to make defence cooperation under the EU budget a reality as of now. The Preparatory Action on Defence Research (PADR) continues to deliver for the third year running. And with today’s decisions, the Commission kick-starts the first EU-funded joint defence industrial projects through the European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP). This will focus on areas including drone technology, satellite communication, early warning systems, artificial intelligence, cyberdefence or maritime surveillance.
Vice-President Jyrki Katainen, responsible for Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness said: “Cooperation in defence is the only way to protect and defend Europeans in an increasingly instable world. We are doing our part. Joint projects are materialising. European Defence is happening. On the basis of this successful experience we will scale up funding to have a fully-fledged European Defence Fund in place in 2021.”
Commissioner Elżbieta Bieńkowska, responsible for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs, added: “To ensure Europe can protect its citizens, we need cutting-edge defence technology and equipment in areas like artificial intelligence, drone technology, satellite communication and intelligence systems. With the EU investments we are launching today, we are going from ideas to concrete projects, we are strengthening the competitiveness of our defence industries.”
Joint development of defence equipment and technology:
The first European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP) work programme agreed with the Member States provides €500m in co-financing for the joint development of defence capabilities during 2019-2020. In the coming days the Commission will publish 9 calls for proposals for 2019, and 12 further calls will follow for 2020.
These calls will cover priority areas in all domains – air, land, sea, cyber and space:
— Enabling operations, protection and mobility of military forces: €80 m is available to help develop CBRN threat detections capabilities or counter drone systems;
— Intelligence, secured communication & Cyber: €182m will cover cyber situational awareness and defence, space situational awareness and early warning capabilities, or maritime surveillance capabilities;
— Ability to conduct high-end operations: €71m will support the upgrade or the development of the next generation of ground-based precision strike capabilities, ground combat capabilities, air combat capabilities and future naval systems;
— Innovative defence technologies & SMEs: €27m will support solutions in Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality and Cyber technologies, as well as to support SMEs.
— In addition, two projects have been proposed for direct award: €100m to support the development of the Eurodrone, a crucial capability for Europe’s strategic autonomy, and €37m to support ESSOR interoperable and secure military communications.
Financing innovation in defence research:
Today Commission publishes calls for proposals under the Preparatory Action on Defence Research (PADR), the third and final budget tranche under the Juncker Commission. The 2019 Work Programme will dedicate €25 m for research in Electromagnetic Spectrum Dominance and Future Disruptive Defence Technologies – two areas identified as essential to maintain Europe’s technological lead and independence in the long-term.
The calls on Future Disruptive Defence Technologies will look at how best the EU can support disruptive technologies in defence that may lead to transformational changes in the military. This will help prepare the ground for the European Defence Fund which could allocate up to 8% of its budget for disruptive technologies.
Next steps
Eligible consortia can apply to the 2019 calls for proposals until the end of August. The first projects will be selected before the end of 2019, followed by the official signing of grant agreements.
With both programmes now operational and running, the Commission is paving the way for a fully-fledged European Defence Fund for the next financial period 2021-2027.
Background
In his political guidelines in June 2014, President Juncker made strengthening European citizens’ security a priority. He announced the creation of a European Defence Fund in his 2016 State of the Union address. The Commission presented a first set of actions in June 2017 to allow defence cooperation at EU level to be tested by means of the Preparatory Actions on Defence Research for 2017-2019, as well as through the European Defence Industrial Development Programme for 2019-2020.
In June 2018, the Commission proposed a fully-fledged €13bn European Defence Fund. The Fund will place the EU among the top 4 defence research and technology investors in Europe, and act as a catalyst for an innovative and competitive industrial and scientific base.
The EU institutions in February 2019 reached a partial political agreement on the European Defence Fund, subject to formal approval by the European Parliament and Council. The budgetary aspects of the future European Defence Fund are subject to the overall agreement on the EU’s next long-term budget, proposed by the Commission in May 2018. (Source: defense-aerospace.com/European Commission)
German Military Commissioner, US Ambassador Alarmed by Budgetary Restraints.
Government plans to spend less than promised on the military have drawn fire from the armed forces commissioner and the US Embassy in Berlin. Defense spending is projected to fall well short of NATO’s 2 percent target. German armed forces commissioner Hans-Peter Bartels demanded Tuesday that Finance Minister Olaf Scholz “reliably” implement funding boosts for the Bundeswehr in line with Germany’s NATO pledge.
The Finance Ministry said Monday that an extra €2bn ($2.27bn) was planned for the military in 2020, but Germany’s military spending would drop in 2023 to 1.25 percent of its gross domestic product — well short of NATO’s 2 percent target set for 2025 and Germany’s promise to meet 1.5 percent by that year. Next year’s intended outlay of €45bn — compared to €43bn this year — would not suffice for a “fully equipped” Bundeswehr, said Bartels, who has often highlighted defects in aircraft, tanks and submarines and the “monstrous” military bureaucracy.
“The troops expect that it [the NATO pledge] be predictably and reliably implemented,” he said, referring to Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen’s drive to retool Germany’s military 25 years after the Cold War.
Under Germany’s concept of a parliament-controlled military, Bartels acts as intermediary for the Bundestag, especially as ombudsman for military personnel.
Grenell: ‘Worrisome signal’
The outspoken US ambassador to Germany, Richard Grenell, reiterated his criticism of Germany on Tuesday, insisting that NATO members stick to the 2-percent goal and “not run away.”
The defense spending figures sent a “worrisome signal to Germany’s 28 NATO allies,” he said.
Otto Fricke, the budget expert for the liberal Free Democrats (FDP), said Chancellor Angela Merkel’s coalition government, comprising her conservatives (CDU/CSU) and Finance Minister Scholz’s Social Democrats (SPD), must acknowledge that the “good years are over.”
The Finance Ministry has said that although the combined 2020 federal budget foresaw a 1.7 percent hike to €362.6bn, ministries were under pressure to identify spending cuts of €625m annually.
Last week, the Economy Ministry, headed by conservative Peter Altmaier, noted a subdued start to 2019, with the economy’s outlook dampened by global trade conflicts and sluggish demand for industrial goods.
Municipalities alarmed
The anticipated slowdown should not mean less federal funding allocations for regional care of refugees, warned Germany’s Association of Towns and Municipalities (DStGB) on Tuesday.
Recent successes in integration were now “endangered,” warned the association’s chief executive Gerd Landsberg, who recently called for a reform of Germany’s welfare state.
Likewise, Armin Laschet, the conservative premier of Germany’s most populous state, North Rhine-Westphalia, warned Scholz that intended cuts were “out of the question,” given that many local bodies were deeply in debt.
“Those who cut back on integration in these times and leave highly indebted communities with social hot spots alone have lost all sensitivity to social priorities,” Laschet told Dusseldorf’s Rheinische Post newspaper.
Germany’s largest tabloid, Bild, said Scholz planned from next year to introduce a “refugee lump sum” of €16,000 to be spread over five years to cover welfare spending on each newly arrived [recognized] refugee in Germany’s 16 federal states. This would reduce the federal government’s refugee costs from currently €20bn to €16bn per year, Bild reported.
In the first year, the allocation would be €6,000 per refugee, €4,000 in the second year, and €2,000 in each of the following years, the newspaper claimed. (Source: defense-aerospace.com/Deutsche Welle German Radio)
20 Mar 19. Mission Clemenceau. The 3,200 strong TF 473 around the CHARLES DE GAULLE left Toulon on March 5th. The French aircraft carrier has 20 Rafale Marine, two Hawkeye air surveillance aircraft and three helicopters (one Caiman Marine and two Dauphin Pedro) on board After a 18-month maintenance phase, the carrier will embark on its eleventh major strategic voyage as part of the Clemenceau mission.
It is accompanied by a French attack submarine (name not published), the anti-aircraft frigate FORBIN (one AS 565 Panther helicopter embarked), the two multi-purpose frigates (FREMM class) PROVENCE, LANGUEDOC (each with a Caiman helicopter on board), the ASW frigate LATOUCHE-TRÉVILLE (two SeaLynx on board (one crew)) and the task force supplier MARNE. Temporarily and as needed, the unit is supported by MPA type Atlantique 2. On departure, the French Defence Minister Florence Parly addressed the Group Aéro Naval (GAN), which also includes the NILS JUEL frigates from Denmark and the Portuguese CORTE REAL. If the NILS JUEL remains with GAN until the end of April with its EH 101 helicopter on board, the CORTE REAL will (according to Portuguese newspaper reports) disengage after three weeks.
In the Mediterranean, HMS DUNCAN, a British TYPE 45 or DARING class destroyer, will strengthen the air defence capabilities of the formation, which left Portsmouth on March 9. It is also expected that Italian and American units will practice with the French unit during the six-month mission.
For France, the Clemenceau mission has a far-reaching political significance in addition to its contribution to the counter-DAESH/IS coalition. The strengthening of partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region has been declared a strategic priority under President Emmanuel Macron. The cultivation of military relations thus becomes an obligation. Of course, there are also (arms) economic interests behind this. For example in Australia, which recently signed a contract for 12 submarines with the French Naval Group. And India, which in September 2016 ordered a total of 36 Rafale worth €7.87bn, first delivery in 2019. Or Egypt, which in recent years has purchased two helicopter carriers/dock landing ships, three frigates and also Rafale from France. The participation of two FREMM units, which Naval Group intends to market worldwide together with Fincantieri (Italy), is an indication of the marketing activities carried out here. (Source: ESD Spotlight)
14 Mar 19. Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has reaffirmed his commitment to growing Defence’s contribution to UK economic growth. Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has reaffirmed his commitment to growing Defence’s contribution to UK economic growth, setting out a new package of measures to drive productivity and innovation in the sector.
In July 2018, Philip Dunne MP published a review of the economic value of Defence, highlighting the crucial role the sector plays in supporting over 260,000 jobs and contributing on average £7bn in exports each year.
The Ministry of Defence invested £18.9bn with UK industry in 2017/18, equating to £290 per resident, which supported 115,000 jobs across the country.
Ahead of today’s Prosperity Conference, bringing together leading defence industry partners in the Manufacturing Technology Centre in Coventry, the Defence Secretary has announced:
- £500k investment from the Defence Innovation Fund for a pilot programme with industry to further strengthen the international competitiveness and productivity of the UK defence sector.
- A joint programme supported by Invest Northern Ireland and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to pilot a Defence Technology Exploitation Programme (DTEP) in Northern Ireland, worth an expected £1.2m in Research and Development investment.
- A commitment to working with the Welsh Government on the potential for an Advanced Manufacturing Research Institute alongside the Defence Electronics and Components Agency (DECA) in North Wales to cement the region as a centre of excellence for innovation.
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said: These announcements demonstrate the progress we are making in our commitment to boost Defence’s contribution to national prosperity.
Our world-class defence sector operates at the very forefront of innovation, supporting 260,000 jobs and increasing economic growth throughout the UK.
The MOD is playing a central role in the Government’s Modern Industrial Strategy and prosperity agenda, ensuring the UK remains a world-leader in defence technology in the years to come.
Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns said: The Ministry of Defence plays a crucial role in Wales and supports thousands of jobs across the country. It is Welsh expertise which ensures the Armed Forces are equipped with the latest technology, and DECA Sealand and companies like AerFin are proving Wales’ credentials as a global leader in aviation technology.
The UK Government is committed to ensuring this trend continues, and through the Industrial Strategy aims to invest in key industries and infrastructure in Wales to boost productivity and support businesses in creating well-paid jobs.
In recognition of the need to improve the quality of data on the UK defence sector available to decision-makers by stimulating greater academic involvement in the area, the Defence Secretary also announced:
- The proposal to create a Joint Economic Data Hub with industry, sitting within the UK Defence Solution Centre and overseen by a new independent advisory panel, to collect and aggregate economic data from across the defence sector.
- A commitment to sponsor an international Defence Economics Conference at Kings College London later this year, as the first of a series of events to develop understanding of the significant economic value of Defence.
Earl Howe outlined these proposals in more detail at the Defence Prosperity Conference today, before taking part in a panel event with senior industry and government officials.
The initiatives build on the Philip Dunne report commissioned by the Defence Secretary, entitled ‘Growing the Contribution of Defence to UK Prosperity’, which has been widely welcomed by Government and Industry.
Rt Hon Philip Dunne MP said: “I welcome today’s response by the Secretary of State to my report and the steps taken so far to drive the UK prosperity agenda forward, both within the MOD and as it engages with the defence industry on future initiatives. I look forward to helping the MOD continue to develop the way in which it demonstrates its positive impact within the UK economy.”
Paul Everitt, CEO ADS said: “Providing thousands of high-value jobs and delivering vital equipment for the UK Armed Forces, the UK defence industry is making a big contribution to our national prosperity and security. UK industry is designing, developing and manufacturing the best in advanced defence equipment and services, and it is vital that industry and Government continue to work closely together to make sure we develop the skills and capabilities our country needs.”
Andrew Cowdery, Industry Co-Chair Defence Growth Partnership said: “The DGP welcomes the Defence Secretary’s continued focus on the UK defence sector and its importance to the prosperity of the country. By working jointly with the Government through the DGP our industry can continue to make long term investments in innovation, skills and the right capabilities. This will allow the sector to continue to meet the requirements of our Armed forces and maximise international trade.”
Stephen Phipson, Chief Executive, Make UK (formerly EEF) said: “Make UK are pleased to support the Defence Secretary’s drive to grow our national prosperity from defence activity. The UK’s defence supply chain operates at the technical frontier, delivering the cutting-edge innovation that is essential to ensuring that our Armed Forces are, and remain, ahead of their competitors and adversaries. In doing so our industry does more than just help to safeguard our national security; it makes a vital contribution to our prosperity.”
Recent announcements highlighting the importance of Defence to the UK economy include:
- A £400m contract with MBDA UK to add ultra-accurate Brimstone missile capability to RAF Typhoon jets, supporting 400 jobs in Bolton, Stevenage and across their UK supply chain.
- Contracts worth £1bn announced in October 2018 to support the UK’s Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships and the Royal Navy’s Survey and Hydrographic fleet, supporting over 700 jobs at shipyards across the country.
- A £500m contract from the US Department of Defense centred on the Defence Electronics and Components Agency in Sealand, North Wales, to repair state-of-the-art F-35 Lighting fighter jets, cementing the UK’s role as the Global Repair Hub for F-35 aircraft. (Source: U.K. MoD)
19 Mar 19. Germany’s SPD wants to extend arms export halt to Saudi. Germany’s Social Democrats (SPD) want to extend a freeze on arms exports to Saudi Arabia imposed after the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, party sources said, setting the stage for a row with their conservative coalition partners. Under pressure from European allies, many of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservatives want to end the ban to avoid hurting Germany’s commercial reputation and undermining its ambitions to develop a common European defence policy. The moratorium runs until the end of March. Two party sources told Reuters on Tuesday that the parliamentary party had backed SPD leader Andrea Nahles in her call for an extension until October.
“It should be agreed with our European partners that equipment that is dependent on German supplies will not be allowed to be used in the Yemen war,” said one participant in the meeting.
Germany’s BDI Federation of German Industry warned that extending the unilateral ban would hit France and Britain particularly hard, putting at risk projects such as development of a new Franco-German combat jet and other arms deals.
The SPD’s stance “endangers joint projects & common European #defence policy. With embargo and proposed 2020 budget, #Berlin is increasingly isolated among its closest allies,” BDI defence expert Matthias Wachter said in a Twitter posting.
Germany is also under fire by the United States and other NATO allies for failing to include funding in its latest budget plan to raise the percentage of defence spending to a NATO target of 2 percent of gross domestic product.
The SPD, languishing in opinion polls before four regional elections this year, is keen to woo traditional voters sceptical about arms sales and worried about Saudi involvement in Yemen’s war.
The freeze has put a question mark over billions of euros of military orders, including a 10bn pound deal to sell 48 Eurofighter Typhoon jets to Riyadh that would be led by Britain’s BAE Systems.
BAE declined to comment on the SPD’s push to extend the export ban. Among countries opposed to the German government policy are key allies Britain and France. (Source: Reuters)
19 Mar 19. Merkel rejects US criticism on defence spending. On 19 March 2019 Chancellor Angela Merkel insisted Germany will not cut foreign aid to raise military spending, rejecting US criticism of its defence outlays. She said ‘we will continue our effort’ in terms of raising defence spending, ‘but not at the expense of development aid’.
The US had the day before labelled budget plans by Germany as ‘worrisome’, projecting a fall in military spending in coming years. President Donald Trump has repeatedly accused the biggest EU economy of freeloading on US military might with defence spending far below the NATO member target of 2% of GDP.
Germany’s finance ministry had Monday presented its budget planning for coming years, which signalled a drop. It said defence spending would first rise to 1.37% of gross domestic product in 2020 but then likely fall back to 1.25% by 2023.
US Ambassador Richard Grenell – who has criticised Germany on issues from its Iran policy to proposals to use telecom equipment by China’s Huawei – was quick to comment on the projection. ‘NATO members clearly pledged to move towards, not away from, 2% by 2024,’ he said, referring to a goal set at a 2014 alliance summit. ‘That the German government would even be considering reducing its already unacceptable commitments to military readiness is a worrisome signal to Germany’s 28 NATO Allies.’
‘Total diplomatic failure’
Grenell’s latest reprimand sparked anger in Berlin.
A senior lawmaker of the Social Democrats, Carsten Schneider, labelled Grenell a ‘total diplomatic failure’ and the liberal FDP party’s Wolfgang Kubicki even demanded the envoy be expelled.
Merkel, speaking more diplomatically at a Berlin conference, pushed back against the criticism by arguing that Germany was as focused on foreign aid as on military spending. ‘We have always said that we’re headed in the direction of 2%, and that by 2024 we will reach 1.5%,’ she said. ‘I can understand that this is not enough for the American president, it’s not enough for many European allies,’ she conceded, speaking at the Global Solutions Summit in Berlin.
But Merkel stressed that Germany had already raised military spending as a proportion of GDP despite a growing economy, and that future spending will likely be higher than current projections.
While German defence spending went up from $45bn to $50 bn last year, the growing economy meant the figure relative to GDP stayed flat at 1.23%.
Merkel also pointed out that Germany is one of the biggest donors to help Syrian refugees, and one of the largest recipients of Syrians seeking safe haven – which, she noted, Trump had also criticised. Trump’s regular outbursts about European defence expenditure have caused some to question the future of the alliance, which celebrates its 70th anniversary this year. US military spending dwarfs that of the rest of the alliance. In 2018 Washington spent nearly $700bn on defence, compared with just $280bn for all the European NATO allies combined. (Source: Shephard)
18 Mar 19. Italy begins Typhoon deployment to Iceland. The Italian Air Force (Aeronautica Militare Italiana: AMI) has deployed an undisclosed number of Eurofighter Typhoon combat aircraft to Keflavik Airbase to conduct NATO air policing and training duties over Iceland. The deployment for NATO’s ‘Airborne Surveillance and Interception Capabilities to Meet Iceland’s Peacetime Preparedness Needs’ mission, which was announced by Allied Air Command on 18 March, began in mid-March and is set to run through to mid-April.
As noted by the command, this is the fourth such deployment for the AMI with previous rotations having taken place in 2013, 2017, and 2018. On those occasions the service deployed up to six Typhoons and a Boeing KC-767 tanker.
As is the norm for this particular mission, the AMI will have spent the first week conducting familiarisation flights over Iceland under the control of the Iceland Coast Guard Control and Reporting Centre Loki at Keflavik. The detachment is now certified by NATO’s Combined Air Operations Centre in Uedem, Germany, to fly air policing missions in the Iceland’s airspace.
For the Peacetime Preparedness Needs mission, alliance members undertake three- to four-week rotations within one of three four-month windows throughout the year. Nations typically contribute four aircraft per deployment, although this number is flexible.
The mission has previously been flown by Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Norway, Portugal, and the US. A planned deployment by the UK in 2008 was cancelled following its diplomatic spat with Iceland over the Nordic nation’s banking crisis, although in 2018 it was announced that the RAF would indeed deploy later this year. Further to the NATO members, both Finland and Sweden have deployed fighter aircraft to Iceland for training purposes. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
18 Mar 19. A Message from France to United States: Don’t Be Afraid of European Autonomy. Amid continued criticism from US President Donald J. Trump about low defense spending levels in NATO countries, French Minister of the Armed Forces Florence Parly said France will “do our best, along with the Europeans, to take a larger share of the burden.” But, she continued, “we will call it ‘autonomy,’ and we will count on you to hear in this word nothing [other] than the bonds of a healthy, independent, and robust friendship.”
Despite concern about low European spending, Trump has also been critical of calls for European nations to form a common European defense force or strengthen their domestic defense industries. When French President Emmanuel Macron called for a “true, European army,” on November 6, Trump lambasted the idea, suggesting that it was an effort to “protect Europe against the US.”
Parly, speaking at the Atlantic Council on March 18, maintained that “building a European autonomy should never be seen as a move against the United States,” nor should it “be a reason for the US to be less engaged.” She argued that moves to strengthen Europe’s capabilities would help ease the burden off of Washington, especially as it shifts focus away from Europe and toward more pressing regions in East Asia and the Middle East. “We need to step up to help without waiting for the US to always foot the bill,” she said.
Parly noted that European countries have moved to strengthen their capabilities as the Continent’s “security environment has been sorely tested. In 2008, Georgia was torn into pieces. In 2014, it was Ukraine’s turn.”
Anxiety in European capitals has been heightened by Trump’s suggestion that Washington could condition its continued participation in NATO on increased European financial contributions to the Alliance. “They were not reassured,” Parly said, adding “They started to… wonder if the unthinkable might be slowly happening.”
Parly pushed back strongly on the US president’s threats to withdraw from NATO should partners not increase their spending. “The alliance should be unconditional, otherwise it is not an alliance,” she argued.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg reported on March 14 that Alliance members had increased their defense spending in 2018 for the fourth year in a row. In the twenty-nine member Alliance, seven states, now including Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland, meet the 2 percent of GDP defense spending goal set at NATO’s Wales Summit in 2014. Romania is expected to meet that goal this year. France does not meet the goal.
Parly did concede that European partners must contribute more to NATO, saying that “the Europeans have a hell of a homework in front of them if they want to stand on their own two feet and really share the burden with America.” She said that France “fully support[s] the US insistence on the 2 percent” of GDP defense spending goal for NATO members and maintained that “France wants to be at the forefront of this effort.”
She tied this problem, however, directly with the lack of European autonomous capabilities, noting that the United States currently provides the Alliance with 91 percent of air tankers, 92 percent of its medium- and high-elevation unmanned aerial vehicles, and 100 percent of its strategic bombers and missile defense systems.
Developing capabilities in these areas, she argued, would help lessen the burden borne by Washington and strengthen Europe’s ability to respond to crises without needing heavy lifting from the United States. Rather than seeing this strengthening as a threat, Parly continued, “autonomy should be a variation on friendship.”
Amid complaints from Washington about Germany choosing not to buy the American F-35 aircraft, Parly said that she was “concerned that the strengths of NATO’s solidarity might be made conditional on allies buying this or that equipment.” She explained that “NATO’s solidarity clause is called Article 5, not Article F-35.”
Parly also pushed back on Trump’s portrayal of NATO as a drag on US resources. “The Alliance is not a one-way operation. There is a strong pay-back for the United States,” she said. France, she explained, “has been America’s most effective ally,” pointing to the contribution of armed forces in the war in Afghanistan and the fact that Paris “was among the very first to enlist” in the US-led coalition to defeat ISIS in Iraq and Syria.
Parly added that the 2013 French-led mission to prevent the overthrow of the Malian government by Islamic militants was an example of a European ally taking the lead in an operation while still enjoying “fantastic US support.”
Retired US Marine Corps Gen. James L. Jones, Jr., the executive chairman emeritus of the Atlantic Council, echoed Parly’s description of the value France provides the United States. “In the past decade alone, our two countries worked closely together to fight terrorism in the Sahel, to end ISIS domination of Syria and Iraq as members of the global coalition, to exchange operational military intelligence, and to cooperate on cyber defense capabilities,” he said.
While Paris and Washington have certainly disagreed on policy positions—from the Suez Crisis of the 1950s to the Iran nuclear deal today—Parly argued that this has never prevented France from “in practice being one of the most active allies in the field.”
Jones agreed, adding that “our two countries have disagreed or misunderstood each other in the past… but despite these policy differences the US and France are bound by liberal democratic values and common challenges, and cooperation does not stop when friends occasionally disagree.”
Parly argued that France’s ability to help the United States will only continue in the future. “You can count on us,” she said. “We will be there. Not only for today’s wars, but also for those of tomorrow.” (Source: defense-aerospace.com/Atlantic Council)
18 Mar 19. German 2020 budget plan calls for 1.7 percent boost in spending – sources. The German government’s budget plan for 2020 calls for a 1.7 percent hike in spending to 362.6bn euros (310.3bn pounds) and relies on ministries cutting costs to avoid incurring new debt given forecasts for slower economic growth, Finance Ministry sources said on Monday. The plan assumes that Europe’s largest economy will grow by 1.0 percent in 2019, down from an initially projected 1.8 percent, the sources said. The Economy Ministry last week said the economy had a subdued start to 2019 and probably grew moderately in the first quarter, its outlook dampened by trade conflicts and sluggish demand for industrial products among other factors. To balance the budget, government ministries will have to identify combined spending cuts of 625m euros each year, with programme delays and other measures to contribute additional savings, the sources said.
In a measure that could anger U.S. President Donald Trump, the budget foresees a further increase in military spending in 2020 but does not provide a plan for how to reach the NATO target of spending 2 percent of economic output on defence.
The ministry sources said military spending would rise by 2.1bn euros over a previous plan for 2020, boosting the share of defence spending to 1.37 percent of gross domestic product from 1.25 percent in 2018 and 1.3 percent this year.
“That the German government would even be considering reducing its already unacceptable commitments to military readiness is a worrisome signal to Germany’s 28 NATO allies,” said U.S. Ambassador Richard Grenell.
The military budget is slated to rise to 45.1bn euros in 2020 from planned spending of 43.2bn this year, a separate government source said.
However, the share of military spending would drop back to 1.25 percent in 2023, with any further spending increases to be negotiated year by year, the sources said. “We’re taking it one step at a time,” said one of the sources. That leaves Germany well below the 2 percent target set by NATO members for 2024, and below the 1.5 percent share that Germany has pledged to meet by that date. (Source: Reuters)
18 Mar 19. Statement by the North Atlantic Council on Crimea.
- Five years ago, Russia used force against Ukraine to illegally and illegitimately annex Crimea. This violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity is a serious breach of international law and a major challenge to Euro-Atlantic security. We strongly condemn this act, which we do not and will not recognise. We call on Russia to return control of Crimea to Ukraine. We reiterate our full support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders and territorial waters. Crimea is the territory of Ukraine.
- Allies are deeply concerned by the human rights abuses and violations being carried out by the Russian de-facto authorities in illegally annexed Crimea against Ukrainians, the Crimean Tatars, and members of other local communities. These violations include extrajudicial killings, abductions, enforced disappearances, violence, arbitrary detentions, arrest, and torture. Despite the 2017 Order of the International Court of Justice, the Mejlis, the Crimean Tatars’ self-governing body, remains under persecution and is banned in its homeland.
- NATO calls on Russia to bring an immediate end to all violations and abuses in illegally annexed Crimea, to release Ukrainian political prisoners and hostages, and to grant international monitoring organisations access to Crimea. Any attempts to legitimise or normalise the illegal and illegitimate annexation of Crimea must end, including the automatic imposition of Russian citizenship, forced population movements, conscription in the armed forces of the Russian Federation, and illegal holding of Russian election campaigns.
- We condemn Russia’s ongoing and wide-ranging military build-up in Crimea, and are concerned by Russia’s efforts and stated plans for further military build-up in the Black Sea region. We also condemn Russia’s construction of the Kerch Strait bridge, which represents another violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and is imposing additional hardship on Ukraine’s economy. Russia’s unjustified use of military force against Ukrainian ships and naval personnel near the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait in November 2018 is part of the larger pattern of Russian aggressive actions in the region. In line with United Nations General Assembly Resolution 73/194 from 17 December 2018, we call on Russia to unconditionally release the Ukrainian crew members it detained, to return the captured vessels and to comply with its international commitments by ensuring unhindered access to Ukrainian ports in the Sea of Azov and allowing freedom of navigation.
- NATO’s response to address Russia’s illegal actions in Ukraine has been alongside and in support of an overall international effort, which has included sanctions. There can be no return to “business as usual” until there is a clear, constructive change in Russia’s actions that demonstrates compliance with international law and its international obligations and responsibilities.
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About Lincad
Lincad is a leading expert in the design and manufacture of batteries, chargers and associated products for a range of applications across a number of different sectors. With a heritage spanning more than three decades in the defence and security sectors, Lincad has particular expertise in the development of reliable, ruggedised products with high environmental, thermal and electromagnetic performance. With a dedicated team of engineers and production staff, all product is designed and manufactured in-house at Lincad’s facility in Ash Vale, Surrey. Lincad is ISO 9001 and TickITplus accredited and works closely with its customers to satisfy their power management requirements.
Lincad is also a member of the Joint Supply Chain Accreditation Register (JOSCAR), the accreditation system for the aerospace, defence and security sectors, and is certified with Cyber Essentials, the government-backed, industry supported scheme to help organisations protect themselves against common cyber attacks. The majority of Lincad’s products contain high energy density lithium-ion technology, but the most suitable technology for each customer requirement is employed, based on Lincad’s extensive knowledge of available electrochemistries. Lincad offers full life cycle product support services that include repairs and upgrades from point of introduction into service, through to disposal at the end of a product’s life. From product inception, through to delivery and in-service product support, Lincad offers the high quality service that customers expect from a recognised British supplier.
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