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09 Feb 23. UK and Italy agree to deepen cooperation in space and cyber domains.
Defence Ministers agreed to work together to support Ukraine, as NATO partners. Further collaboration will take place through shared projects like the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP).
The UK and Italy have agreed to further strengthen military collaboration as Defence Ministers Ben Wallace and Guido Crosetto signed a new Joint-Statement of Intent on bilateral defence co-operation.
The agreement was signed on Thursday following a bilateral meeting and will see deeper cooperation and collaboration across military operations, particularly in the space and cyber domains.
The ability of the UK and Italian armed forces to operate together and develop shared capabilities to minimise costs is also part of the agreement.
During a bilateral meeting, Ministers discussed the Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, as well as the security situation in Libya and ongoing tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean and Western Balkans.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: “Through this new defence agreement with Italy, our long-standing ally and friend, we are deepening our defence collaboration at a vital time for security across Europe and the wider world. Working together as NATO allies to support Ukraine, and also on joint projects including the Global Combat Air Programme, we continue to promote our collective industries and increase our capabilities.”
The Defence Ministers were joined by UK and Italian Foreign and International Trade Ministers at the Pontignano Conference – the biggest and longest-running UK-Italian diplomatic event, taking place on an annual basis.
The meeting of the UK and Italian Defence Secretaries was the first since the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) agreement – a trilateral project between the UK, Italy, and Japan, which was announced by the Prime Minister in December and will deliver the next phase of a combat air fighter jet development.
Due to enter service by 2035, the ambition is for a next-generation jet fighter, enhanced by a network of capabilities such as uncrewed aircraft, sensors, weapons and advanced data systems. Collaboration among the three advanced industrial nations allows sharing of advanced technologies to get the best military capabilities, shares the cost of development as we modernise our capabilities and will strengthen the industrial base in each country.
As part of the trip, the UK Defence Secretary also visited the Leonardo’s aircraft division in Turin, where he met the company’s CEO and discussed the work on GCAP. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
09 Feb 23. Poland: Key reforms will reduce tensions with Brussels, stimulate economy. On 8 February, parliament passed two pieces of legislation that the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party hopes will convince Brussels to unlock billions in EU funding. The European Commission has made the release of Poland’s EUR 35.4bn (USD 38.1bn) Covid-19 recovery funds conditional on legislative changes on judicial independence and green energy. The key legislation passed by parliament would effectively replace the Supreme Court’s disciplinary chamber of judges, which Brussels argues is politicised and undermines judicial independence. The second law would relax rules on onshore wind investment, though the rules will remain relatively strict and will likely continue to stifle investment. Since President Andrzej Duda is closely aligned with the PiS, it is likely that he will sign the legislation. The ruling party is keen to gain access to EU funds to stimulate the economy ahead of the autumn general election. (Source: Sibylline)
09 Feb 23. Sweden: Country faces elevated threat of Islamist attack following far-right Quran burning. On 8 February, Sweden’s domestic security agency SAPO warned that the country faces an elevated threat of Islamist attack after far-right Rasmus Paludan activist burned a Quran outside the Turkish embassy in Stockholm in early February. Notably, the agency did not increase Sweden’s terror threat level, which currently stands at three (elevated) on a five-point scale. Later on same day, Stockholm police announced that they had rejected an application to burn a Quran at a new protest due to national security concerns – likely the threat of retaliatory attacks. The SAPO also noted its concern over an ongoing disinformation campaign alleging that Swedish social services kidnap Muslim children. In light of the SAPO’s assessment, the government is likely to try and prevent further far-right demonstrations in the coming weeks and months. (Source: Sibylline)
08 Feb 23. NATO Leader Visits Austin in Advance of Brussels Meeting.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg discussed helping Ukraine defend itself from Russia’s brutal invasion, expansion of the NATO alliance and the need for swift support for Turkey in the wake of devastating earthquakes in that country.
The two men met at the Pentagon in advance of next week’s NATO Defense Ministerial Meeting and the upcoming meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group.
Austin and Stoltenberg share a close working relationship, and Austin thanked the secretary general for all he has done to encourage NATO unity in the face of the challenge from Russia.
“Thank you for your outstanding partnership and your bold leadership,” Austin said. “You’ve helped to keep NATO united and strong through the most serious threat to transatlantic security since the end of World War II. You played a key role in helping nations of the world rally to contribute to Ukraine.”
In opening remarks, Austin expressed his “deepest condolences for all those affected by the terrible earthquake.” NATO ally Turkey lost thousands of people when two earthquakes hit in the southeastern part of the country Feb. 6. News reports say that more than 13,000 people are dead from the quake, which affected Turkey and adjacent Syria.
Austin spoke with Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar soon after the quakes to offer help. U.S. Air Force helicopters transported first responder teams to some of the hardest hit areas. U.S. Transportation Command has flown U.S. civilian search and rescue teams to Turkey. The Agency for International Development is working closely with Turkish authorities and DOD is standing by to help however it can, Austin said.
Stoltenberg commended the United States and other NATO allies for stepping up to help Turkey with the rescue work and to mitigate the consequences of the earthquake. “This demonstrates how we support each other,” he said. “It is part of the NATO spirit to help when NATO ally suffers.”
NATO itself is stronger and more united, Austin said, and he added that it will be even stronger and more united with the addition of Sweden and Finland.
“Today, I look forward to discussing how we build momentum and continue to strengthen transatlantic security,” the defense secretary said.
The two men discussed the acute threat from Russia, the need to replenish and sustain equipment and munitions and the need to deepen investments in defense.
Stoltenberg thanked Austin for his leadership of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, which is coordinating and mobilizing support for the embattled nation. “This support makes a difference on the ground every day,” the secretary general said. “It is critical for Ukraine and their self-defense.”
Stoltenberg said that if Russian President Vladimir Putin wins his war against Ukraine, it will not only be a tragedy for Ukrainians, but a green light to other autocratic leaders who will believe they can use military force to achieve their goals. “That will make the world more dangerous and more vulnerable,” he said.
To that point, the two leaders also discussed Asia. “What happens in Europe matters for Southeast Asia, and what happens there matters for North America and for all of us,” Stoltenberg said. “That’s the reason why we need to address also the security consequences of China’s heavy investments in new military capabilities and how China poses a challenge to our interests, our security and our values.” (Source: US DoD)
07 Feb 23. Kosovo: Pristina signals willingness to progress talks with Serbia, but tensions remain elevated. On 6 February, Kosovar Prime Minister Kurti indicated that his government accepted the plans proposed by the EU to continue talks with Serbia regarding the normalisation of relations between Serbia and Kosovo. It remains unclear whether Kurti intends to give more rights to ethnic Serb municipalities in Kosovo – part of the deal proposed by the EU which the Kosovar government has so far refused, citing concerns over the country’s sovereignty. According to most recent statements by the Kosovar government, Kurti might consider such concessions, however, he indicated that its details and conditions will have to be discussed at upcoming talks with Serbia in Brussels. Despite signals that Kosovo might be softening its stance on the association with Serbian authorities, it remains unlikely that tensions will decrease between the two countries in the near term. (Source: Sibylline)
06 Feb 23. UK must accelerate weapons procurement, shadow minister says.
The U.K. must change the way it procures weapons to rebuild stocks for the British military and sustain support for the Ukraine, the Labour Party’s shadow defense secretary will say in a speech scheduled for Feb 7.
“We need to shift parts of our defence industry and Ministry of Defence procurement on to an urgent operational footing, both to support Ukraine for the long-term and to replenish U.K. stocks for any future conflict” John Healey, the Labour defense spokesman is due to say in a speech to the Royal United Services Institute think tank in London.
The British government successfully used what is known an urgent operational requirement, or UOR, process in Iraq and Afghanistan to rapidly get capabilities into the front line, sweeping away red tape and often procuring weapons without lengthy competition.
Howard Wheeldon, a consultant at Wheeldon Strategic Advisory in London, said that moving toward a new procurement process needed broad political support.
“Mr. Healey is correct in suggesting that we need to revive our approach toward UOR, this can only be done as part of a wider industrial strategic approach to defense and one that, in my view, can only be achieved if it has cross-party support,” Wheeldon said.
Healey will say in his speech the MoD needs to come up with a “stockpiles strategy” to overhaul a “wasteful peacetime procurement system” and gear up domestic industry to maintain military help to Ukraine and restock weapons and ammunition for the British armed forces as well. Labour’s thinking on defense is becoming of increasing relevance.
The ruling Conservative Party doesn’t have to hold a general election until early 2025. But with the economy in a mess, the party itself riven by in-fighting and scandal and other woes, it has for now, at least, put Labour miles ahead in the polls.
The shadow defense secretary has previously said the MoD’s procurement system is broken , wasting tax payers money and leaving the armed forces without the capabilities and troops to fight or meet NATO obligations.
Healey, a long-time member of Parliament and in the defense post since April 2020, will use the speech to highlight three key steps the Labour Party believes the Government should take in its update of the integrated defense review due for publication sometime next month.
Boosting defense production, securing Britain as Europe’s leading NATO member and rebuilding security relations with European allies post Brexit, head the list of priorities to be outlined by Healey in his speech to RUSI members.
“While I can hardly disagree with the ambition and need to reboot U.K. defense strategy in the wake of Ukraine or the need for the U.K. government to urgently boost military production, particularly in regards to complex and other weapons, we must be mindful that successive government cuts to procurement over thirty years have reduced manufacturing capacity,” said Wheeldon.
“Any commitment by industry to gear up must also be supported by consistency from the MoD in respect of long term supply agreements,” he said.
The MoD has started replenishing missile and ammunition stocks but the need to revive supply chains and other factors have slowed the process.
The shadow defense spokesman will say that in government Labour would conduct a “NATO test” on major projects during its first 100 days to ensure Britain is on track to meet its NATO commitments.
This commitment, Healey will say, should include confirmation that further cuts to British Army numbers will be “halted.”
Wheeldon said that while he applauded many aspects of the Labour shadow defense secretary’s calls “reality suggest that unless, and until, the enemy is at the door the U.K. is hardly in a position to lead from the front. If the U.K. seeks to lead then this can only be achieved if it is seen across the rest of NATO to be rising to the challenge of the need for increased spending on defense.”
Healey also confirmed Labour would publish a new strategic defense and security review within a year of entering office should it win the next election. (Source: C4ISR & Networks)
06 Feb 23. Dassault Aviation launches EU Commission’s EICACS project.
The company has already received a grant contract from the European Commission in December 2022. France-based Dassault Aviation has announced the launch of the European Commission’s new project, the European Initiative for Collaborative Air Combat Standardisation (EICACS).
The beginning of this three-year study project was marked by a meeting held at the company’s headquarters in Saint-Cloud, France.
Dassault Aviation is undertaking this project in close collaboration with its European combat aeronautics industrial and research partners.
Awarded as part of the 2021 European Defence Fund (EDF) funding, the project brings together a total of 37 industrial partners and research organisations from across 11 different European Union member nations.
The company informed that this project is also being supported by the European Union via €75m allotted within the framework of the 2021 EDF effort.
Based on its ability to manage complex cooperative programmes, Dassault Aviation has been chosen as the coordinator of the EICACS study project.
The company has already received a grant contract from the European Commission last December.
The programme aims to strengthen the capabilities of the European air forces to achieve their missions in a better and more effective manner.
EICACS will further explore the possibility of upgrading the European forces’ capability to act in coalitions, involving crewed platforms, uncrewed systems, future air combat systems as well as the existing air assets.
Recently, a similar EU Commission’s defence research and development projects have been launched by Airbus.
The projects include European Defence Operational Collaborative Cloud and EU Next-Generation Rotorcraft Technologies.
Last month, European Defence Agency (EDA) announced two Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) projects for bolstering the future airlift capabilities of its European forces. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
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