EDA News

EDA Chief Executive Jorge Domecq held talks today (3 October) in Bucharest with Romanian Minister of Defence Mihnea Ioan Motoc. Romania’s participation in EDA projects, the Security & Defence Implementation Plan of the EU Global Strategy and the European Commission’s upcoming European Defence Action Plan were among the main topics on the agenda.

During the meeting, Mr Domecq welcomed Romania’s involvement in EDA projects and activities, for example: EU Satcom Market, the Joint Deployable Exploitation and Analysis Laboratory (JDEAL) project and the European Air Transport Fleet (EATF) programme. Romania was also the first contributing Member States to join the EDA’s ‘Sharing of Spare Parts’ project which allows it today to share military spare parts with eight other Member States who have also joined. The EDA is currently also providing technical assistance to three Romanian dual-use research project proposals as candidates for co-funding by the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF).
The upcoming Preparatory Action for CSDP-related research, to be launched in 2017, as well as the planned future European Defence Research Programme will open many interesting R&T opportunities, also for Romania, it was stressed at the meeting.
Mr Domecq commended Minister Motoc for Romania’s overall support to EDA and encouraged further engagement in the Agency’s work in the future.
“In the light of Romania's 10 year development plan in which it committed to devote 2% of GDP for defence expenditure, EDA is ready to provide all the necessary support as effectively and efficiently as possible, making use of opportunities for cooperation and the EU tools available in support of defence”, Mr Domecq stated.

Tailored approach for CEE countries

Mr Domecq recalled that EDA takes into account the ‘diversity’ of the European Defence Industrial and Technological Base and that it supports the Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries in the same way as it does the V4 or LoI countries.
Based on a specific CEE study which was commissioned by the EDA in 2015, the Agency is currently exploring a number of recommendations for providing more tailored expertise and support to CEE MoDs and industry, especially on defence industry policy and collaborative programmes.
As part of this effort, one idea is to try to identify a pilot collaborative programme which could be undertaken by interested CEE countries, enhancing interoperability among them. CEE countries are currently being consulted on these ideas. Mr Domecq encouraged Romania to participate and to take the lead in some areas.

Copyright picture: Romanian MoD

More information:

• EDA Chief Executive travels to Romania (EDA webnews April 2015)

On 30 September, EDA Chief Executive Jorge Domecq visited Greece for meetings with the Hellenic Minister of Defence, Panos Kammenos, the National Defence General Staff Admiral Evangelos Apostolakis HN, and other senior officials in the Ministries of National Defence and of Foreign Affairs. Mr Domecq also used the occasion for discussions with industry representatives.

Discussions with the Minister of Defence mainly focused on the implementation of the Global Strategy on Foreign and Security Policy which was published by the High Representative Federica Mogherini in June, with focus on EDA’s role on the implementation. The meeting also provided the opportunity to assess progress in a number of EDA projects in which Greece participates such as in the areas of maritime, energy efficiency, logistic support or cyber defence. Additionally, possible involvement in additional EDA initiatives were discussed.

This visit is a follow-up of meetings in Greece in spring 2015 and the Minister's visit to EDA last February.

Copyright picture: Greek MoD

More information:

• News "Jorge Domecq welcomes Greek Minister of Defence at EDA" (9 February 2016)
• News "EDA Chief Executive visits Athens" (22 April 2015)

 

A dual-use R&T project aimed at developing advanced lightweight impact resistant materials, proposed by a Portuguese consortium and supported by the European Defence Agency (EDA), has been awarded a € 830 000 funding under the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF). It is the first of 30 EDA supported projects to have fully completed the new ‘Request for Projects (RfP)’ procedure that EDA introduced in 2015 in order to maximise project chance to access ESIF. Under the previous procedure, two EDA supported research projects, one Portuguese and one Polish, were assessed by the competent ESIF Managing Authorities and both were successful already. This means that all three EDA supported dual-use R&T projects which have gone so far through the entire ESIF assessment process have been awarded funding – an exceptional 100% success rate!

The latest successful Portuguese project called “Advanced Lightweight Impact Resistant Materials, Components and Structures” (ALIR-MCS) aims at developing, within a 3-year timeframe, a new kind of composite material with high-impact resistance, for the production of components and structures. The objective is to make sure the new material can have both civilian applications (especially in the aeronautical sector) and defence applications, mainly in bulletproof equipment.

Of the total required investment (€ 1.21 million), ESIF will fund € 0.83 million (69%). Project leader is X AERO SYSTEMS, S.A., a Portuguese SME based in Vila Nova de Gaia, a municipality near Porto. The consortium is composed by a wide variety of stakeholders: INEGI- Institute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering (a Research Centre), Critical Materials (another SME), the University of Aveiro as well as the Portuguese Ministry of Defence (Estado Maior Do Exército). Under EDA supported R&T projects, this is the first time that an MoD is directly funded by ESIF.

Since 2013, EDA has been providing technical assistance in order to improve the ESIF eligibility of dual-use R&T projects. The Portuguese ALIR-MCS project, which has now been granted funding, was first selected by EDA within the EDA’s ‘ESIF RfP’ process; it then received technical assistance to enhance and finalize its ESIF application, which proved to be successful.

EDA Chief Executive Jorge Domecq welcomed the third successful ESIF application in a row for EDA supported dual-use R&T projects. “It proves that with the right support and expertise of EDA, dual-use research projects, even proposed by small consortia led by SMEs, can access EU funding. It’s a great success that confirms there are funding opportunities for defence-related stakeholders available within the EU’s multiannual financial framework running till 2020, especially for SMEs with dual-use R&T projects”, Mr Domecq stated.

 

More information:

• EU funding opportunies (EDA project page)
• Dual-use research (EDA project page)
• Polish dual-use R&T project co-funded by ESIF (EDA news)
• New funding opportunity for dual-use research

 

In August 2016, the contract for a Definition Study of the European MALE RPAS (Medium Altitude Long Endurance Remotely Piloted Aircraft System) Programme was awarded by OCCAR to Airbus Defence and Space GmbH, Dassault Aviation and Leonardo S.p.a.. The contract kick-off meeting chaired by OCCAR and involving the three companies as well as the programme Participating States was held on 6 September 2016 at Airbus premises in Manching/Germany.

The Definition Study Contract award marks the initial phase to deliver this important European capability. The MALE RPAS Programme will further develop and strengthen the European industrial expertise and skills in this essential technological area. OCCAR awarded the contract in the name of the four programme Participating States France, Germany, Italy and Spain. The three companies Airbus Defence and Space GmbH, Dassault Aviation and Leonardo S.p.a. are working together as co-contractors to perform the Definition Study. OCCAR and the European Defence Agency (EDA) will cooperate in respect of air traffic insertion of MALE RPAS and the potential participation of other states in future phases of the programme.

“The EDA congratulates OCCAR, the four contributing Member States and the companies involved on this important step towards the development and delivery of a European MALE RPAS capability. This is a decisive step in the direction set by Heads of States and Government at the European Council in December 2013 to prepare the next generation of MALE RPAS in Europe. It is also a concrete example of the need to ensure the necessary European strategic autonomy as foreseen in the EU Global Strategy. The Agency will continue to support the programme building on the work already achieved”, said Jorge Domecq, EDA Chief Executive.

MALE RPAS will be a remotely piloted air system for Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions. The first step of the programme is a two-year definition study to define the baseline specifications/design for the future MALE RPAS. The definition study includes both a System Requirement Review (SRR) and a Preliminary Design Review (PDR). Air traffic integration and certification of the MALE RPAS is a key objective of the programme. Preparation for the potential next steps (development and production) will be part of the activities to be performed during the second year of the definition study. The entry into service of MALE RPAS is aimed at the 2025 timeframe.

Prior to the contract award, the MALE RPAS Programme was formally integrated into OCCAR with the signature of the respective Programme Decision by the members of the OCCAR MALE RPAS Programme Board. The OCCAR MALE RPAS Programme Division will be located in Munich/Hallbergmoos.

More information:

• EDA project page on RPAS
• OCCAR website

For the fifth time since its genesis in 2014, the Spanish Air Force successfully hosted the European Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Course (EAATTC) at their airbase in Zaragoza.  

The course, EAATTC 16-4, was held from 11 to 23 September 2016.  Five participating crews from the Czech Republic, Spain, Poland, Rumania and Belgium followed and graduated from this demanding  course. Together with the support of a multinational team of tactical instructors, intelligence analysts and operational support officers and experts from the European Air Transport Command, the Spanish Air force was able to plan and execute 43 advanced training sorties with a total of 108 flight hours flown by a mixture of airlift assets: ES–C130, FR- C160, CZ-C295, PL-C295, RO-C27J and BE-130).  

The course falls under the remit of the European Air Transport Fleet (EATF) initiative, which is a Category A programme of the EDA designed to improve airlift fleet capacity and interoperability among twenty of the European Union’s Member States. The next EATF event will be the European Air Transport Symposium which will be held in Florence, Italy over the period 5-7 October 2016.

More information:

• EATF project page 
  
  
  

Recent developments in the EU have created a “window of opportunity” which should be seized to relaunch the European defence policy and strengthen the European defence industry by taking decisive action, the Chief Executive of the European Defence Agency (EDA), Jorge Domecq, has said.

Speaking at an industrial event in Brussels Thursday night (22 September), Mr Domecq stressed that “never before over the last 10 years have we had such opportunity to relaunch the European defence project and provide it with renewed impetus and commitment”. The EU Global Strategy (EUGS), the various initiatives taken by different Member States, the Commission President’s State of the Union address have all added to this “general sense of step change”, he said. “I sincerely believe that what we now need is action, not words: seizing a window of opportunity not window dressing or declarations of intent”.

The EUGS, Mr Domecq said, has to be backed up by a “concrete and ambitious Implementation Plan” which will have to tackle many issues at the same time: Permanent Structured Cooperation, Defence Semester, a more output oriented Capability Development Plan, the identification of key strategic activities, the advancement on critical enablers such as standardization, certification and airworthiness.

 

Strengthen the EDTIB

 The EDA Chief Executive, who was delivering the key note speech at a diner-debate organized by the Saab Group, particularly insisted on the need to strengthen the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB) to ensure its remains competitive, efficient and capable of providing Europe’s Armed Forces with the capabilities they will need in the future.

Investing more in Research and Technologies (R&T) will be absolutely key, especially given that today’s defence R&T expenditure is down to its lowest level since 2006. “The massive decline in budgetary terms of our defence R&T efforts is a matter of the highest concern.

It is the capabilities of the future which are at stake here. It is also the competitiveness of our defence industry which is at risk”, he said. “Without a strong and competitive EDTIB we will not only loose our freedom of action, an appropriate level of strategic autonomy, our ability to design and develop, operate and maintain state-of-the-art defence equipment, but our defence culture altogether”, Mr Domecq warned.

 

Better exploiting EU funding

 Mr Domecq also called for an optimal use all available means to incentivize cooperation among Member States and improve the quality of spending. “The EDA can play a key role here, including by closely cooperating with the European Commission to better exploit the relevant EU funding, policy and programmatic instruments that the European Defence Action Plan is going to highlight by the end of the year”, he said.

 

More information

Mr Domecq's full speech

In December 2015, Nexter and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) announced the completion of their association and the creation of a new joint holding company - KNDS - which, many say, could trigger a wider consolidation in the sector of land defence systems in Europe. To find out more about the strategy behind the transaction and its wider impact on the defence industry landscape, we spoke to Stéphane Mayer, CEO of Nexter and co-CEO of the newly created KNDS.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This interview appeared in the EDA's latest European Defence Matters magazine (Nr. 11) which you can read here.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q.: Which were the main drivers behind the Nexter-KMW merger and the creation of KNDS (KMW + Nexter Defense Systems): synergy and cost-saving considerations or more long-term, strategic ambitions?

Stéphane Mayer: The strategic aim of the joint venture between Nexter and KMW is to create a European leader in land defence offering joint products that meet the operational needs of the French and German armies, and obviously those of other European and international forces. This will result in genuine convergence for users that often operate together in the same theatres. The success of our alliance will be boosted by two kinds of convergence between our Governments, which must not only define common requirements, but also adopt the same approach to export controls.
Over the last few months, we have been developing synergies by gradually combining our efforts in several areas: sales, communication, purchasing, finance, products, engineering and production. We are aiming to both boost revenue and limit costs. The process does not involve any restructuring, because both Nexter and KMW are profitable companies with order books representing more than three years of business.

Would you say that KNDS is the starting shot for a major consolidation process in the European land defence systems market to ensure Europeans remain competitive?

When we announced our joint venture, we were the first, and the move came as a surprise to some. In Europe, our Governments need efficient and competitive products and are aiming for more inter-operability. On the worldwide market, the competition is extremely strong. A European consolidation process is an efficient way to achieve those objectives. Besides France and Germany, we are aiming to progressively expand our industrial footprint in other European countries to continue this strategic move.

Some say KNDS could become the “Airbus of the land systems sector”. Is this your ambition and are you already looking for additional European partners to join the group?

The joint venture between Nexter and KMW is the first step towards a strong, durable and independent European industry. Since we started the project, we have consistently stated our desire to drive European consolidation, partly through new industrial alliances. Today, we are laying the foundations of a new group, based on the excellent fit between Nexter and KMW's businesses and the expertise of two companies leading their national markets. In the future, we want to strengthen the group further by welcoming new partners that are an equally good fit and equally effective. I am very confident about this new phase of consolidation, although at the moment the priority remains setting up KNDS with Nexter and KMW.
I would also like to take this opportunity to talk about European consolidation in another area, that of ammunitions. In 2014, Nexter acquired Mecar in Belgium and Simmel Difesa in Italy who joined our Nexter Munitions division, which is now Europe's third-largest munitions player. Combining these three companies has allowed us to generate multiple synergies in ammunitions, but more importantly to maintain a high level of quality in terms of precision, effectiveness and security. As a result, the KNDS group can rely on a solid munitions business.

R&T is a domain where huge synergy effects can be expected from this merger. What do you hope to achieve in R&T together what was not possible alone and how do you see the future of R&T at EU level?

KNDS will indeed lead to R&T synergies. Financing innovation is crucial for the success of our plans, since innovation will allow us to maintain a technological edge over our rivals by developing distinctive systems. Naturally, we will work to eliminate potential duplication of R&T within the new group. Moreover, we welcome the willingness of the Governments to support advanced technologies and R&T studies for the current and future systems. The single most important subject for us in terms of R&T and innovation is linked to the Franco-German initiative to jointly develop the technologies for the MGCS (Main Ground Combat System) and CIFS (Common Indirect Fire System).

It seems that in a first phase, both companies involved in KNDS will keep their organisation, staff and even their own range of products. When do you foresee the first jointly developed and produced KNDS weapon systems - for instance a combat tank - to be on the market?

For many years, we will have to keep large parts of our present organisations unchanged in order to deliver on our commitments to our customers and our existing partnerships and to remain able to support our products in service. However, we are already starting to identify synergies, to act jointly on several matters (sales, product policy, finance, purchasing, communication, etc.). We have also started to work together on future systems, including combat tanks and artillery systems. These programs will be managed, developed and produced by a shared organisation. Their calendars are mainly driven by the operational needs of our customers and the timeframe to achieve a common vision between the German, French and other European customers. In the Defence industry, this takes 5 to 10 years!

2016 has seen a lot of movement in CSDP (EUGS set to be followed by a sectoral defence strategy; launch of Pilot Project and preparation of the Preparatory Action on defence-related research) and more is expected in the coming months (European Defence Action Plan by the EC). How optimistic are you that all this will give a boost to the European defence industry in general, and to the land systems sector in particular?

We can be optimistic, while remaining realistic. The land defence market is doing well internationally, and there are still many opportunities, particularly in Asia and the Middle East. However, it is an extremely competitive sector and every tender process requires increasingly large investments from the companies involved. In Europe in the last few years, Nexter and KMW have taken part in tender processes with products such as our 8x8 combat vehicles (VBCI and Boxer) and 155mm artillery systems (Caesar and PZH2000). We were not successful. Unfortunately in some cases buyers decided to purchase non-European equipment or untested equipment.
Of course competitiveness is essential in order to meet the European market's needs. But there are also needs for greater European awareness regarding defence, and particularly land defence. Armies on the ground need to be much more integrated through common equipment, we need to maintain an independent EDTIB that maintains Europe's superiority in certain areas of excellence (protection, firepower, communication systems, etc.) and we need to maintain and develop a European industry that guarantees the sovereignty of EU states.

On the other hand, there is also the uncertainty created by the Brexit vote and the prospect of the UK leaving the EU. How will all this impact European defence cooperation?

The European defence project is vital and the many dramatic events we have seen in recent years are a reminder that we must not let down our guard on security and defence issues. We are therefore confident that the United Kingdom will remain a staunch ally and continue to develop a strong defence relationship with France. Nexter has a joint venture with BAE, CTA International, based in France. CTA International specialises in telescoped 40mm-calibre armament systems, and has developed a revolutionary new cannon. This 40mm cannon has been acquired by both the French and British armies as part of the Scorpion and Scout programmes, proving both the effectiveness of the weapons themselves and the wisdom of our Franco-British joint venture. Brexit is unlikely to have an impact on our projects.

 

Biography

Stéphane Mayer joined the Airbus group (formerly EADS) in 2003 as Chairman and CEO of EADS Socata, an aviation component and aircraft manufacturer. In 2007, EADS appointed him for a 3-year term as CEO of ATR, a joint venture plane maker. In 2010, he joined the Daher group as President and CEO of its aviation and defence division. At the end of 2015, he was appointed Chairman and CEO of Nexter Systems, which designs, integrates and maintains in operational condition weapons systems and armoured vehicles. As part of the association with Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, he simultaneously became co-CEO of KNDS, the joint holding company which owns the two operating entities.

The first Train the Trainers Battlefield Vehicles Forensics course (BVF) is currently being held at the facilities of Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) in Karlsborg (Sweden). The course, which will end on 23 September, takes place under the umbrella of the European Defence Agency’s (EDA) C-IED Training and Education initiative.

Fifteen students from Member States participate in this course that focuses on enriching skills of operators responsible for the examination of a vehicle having been damaged/destroyed due to an IED attack.  

The BVF concentrates on collecting and processing all identifying marks (i.e. data plates), as well as evidence photographing and documentation recording: Vehicles are thoroughly searched for weapon signatures, weapon fragments, spall or behind armor debris. Additionally, damages are documented, and collected fragments are measured and photographed in accordance with accepted forensic collection standards.  BVF is strictly a forensic collection activity to support technical analysis. A large number of post blast exploitation practices are planned for duration of the course. 

Copyright picture: Swedish Armed Forces
 

More information:

• C-IED project page
• JDEAL project page

The latest European Defence Matters magazine is now available with a special focus on the new EU Global Strategy and “What’s next for Defence?”

When the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the Commission, Federica Mogherini, presented last June the EU’s new ‘Global Strategy for Foreign and Security Policy’ (EUGS), our choice for the cover story of this 11th issue of European Defence Matters became a no-brainer.

Indeed, as Prof. Dr. Sven Biscop, Director at the Egmont Royal Institute for International Relations in Brussels and one of our guest writers in this magazine, accurately points out, “The EUGS is one of the most ambitious EU documents on defence to date”. Among the most ambitious EUGS statements, ideas and proposals, many are related to defence and military capabilities.

In this issue, we therefore propose an analysis of the defence aspects of the EUGS while also looking at the follow up, especially in view of the strategy’s concrete implementation.

We also spoke to Nexter CEO Stéphane Mayer about the recent merger with Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) and the creation of KNDS which, many say, could be the beginning of a consolidation process in the land defence systems sector in Europe.  

EU-NATO cooperation is another topic after the two organisations signed a Joint Declaration last July. We also spoke to NATO General Secretary Jens Stoltenberg about this, the recent Warsaw NATO Summit and the EU Global Strategy.

We also looked at the growing importance of energy management in the defence as the impact of energy consumption on defence budgets and military effectiveness is growing drastically.

In our ‘Opinion’ section, Jyrki Katainen, European Commission Vice-President, shared his analysis about the importance of the ‘circular economy’ concept for the defence sector and how it can help to improve the European defence industry’s competitiveness.  We also have an exclusive interview with the chair of the EU military Committee (EUMC), General Mikhail Kostarakos.

Enjoy your reading!
 

More information:

• European Defence Matters 11

The European Defence Agency (EDA) currently has several job openings in the different directorates: 15 temporary agents, five seconded national experts and one contractual agent. The profiles we’re looking for include director, head of unit, project officer and assistant positions across all EDA directorates. Candidates must apply via the EDA website.

Among the vacancies, you will find the position of Director Capability, Armament and Technology, Head of Unit Human Resources, Head of Unit Industry Strategy and Wider EU Policies, Policy Officer Industry Relations and Support, Project Officer Rotary Wing, Project Officer Maritime Capabilities or Personal Assistant to the Chief Executive and many more. Do not miss this chance and consult the EDA job portal for an overview of all open posts. Starting dates vary between March and October 2017.

The Agency is an “outward-facing” organisation, constantly interacting with its shareholders, the participating Member States, as well as with a wide range of stakeholders. It works in an integrated way, with multi-disciplinary teams representing all the Agency’s functional areas, to realise its objectives including its annual Work Programme and its rolling three-year Work Plan. Its business processes are flexible and oriented towards achieving results. Staff at all levels need to demonstrate the corresponding qualities of flexibility, innovation, and team-working; to work effectively with shareholders and stakeholder groups, formal and informal; and to operate without the need for detailed direction.

 

More information:

• Access the vacancy notices through our job portal

Recommendations and guidelines regarding the exposition to pulsed electromagnetic signals are very different depending on the organization which publish it (like it is the case for IEEE or ICNIRP). These discrepancies create some difficulties regarding which guideline to follow.

To have a better understanding on the effects produced by these electromagnetic fields, the European Defence Agency (EDA) has initiated the RFBIO project which was officially launched at a kick-off meeting on 1 September at the EDA premises.

At this stage, there are two EDA Member States contributing to this Category B project: Sweden, as the lead nation, and Germany. Additional Member States are expected to join later.

The RFBIO study is being carried out by the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm and the Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology in Munich.

Over the next five years, these institutions will analyze the biological effects of Electromagnetic Fields with specific characteristics which have not been completely characterized for the time being.

The duty of care for military personnel is the main driver behind this research project the results of which will benefit the armed forces of all EU Member States.

 

More information:

• Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology
• Karolinska Institute in Stockholm

More than 1,000 personnel from 21 countries and organisations as well as non-European observers participated in the multinational Counter Improvised Explosive Devices (C-IED) exercise Bison Counter 2016 (BC16). The exercise was hosted by the Swedish Armed Forces and the Swedish Göta Engineers Regiment from 15 to 27 August 2016. It was the first time the EDA’s Joint Deployable Exploitation and Analysis Laboratory (JDEAL) was successfully integrated into a multinational exercise. A Visitors Day with the participation of high-level guests from participating countries and organisations was organised on 26 August. 

The main aim of the exercise was to evaluate the full C-IED concept from the first responders’ perspective until delivery of C-IED related intelligence production, so as to tackle all C-IED work strands. A large number of different C-IED enablers ranging from Military Search, Military Working Dogs, Explosives Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and Improvised Explosive Devices Disposal (IEDD), EOD divers, Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear and explosives (CBRNe) experts, Military Engineers and Weapon Intelligence Teams (WIT) from land, maritime and air domains took part in the exercise. 

One of the key elements of the exercise was to practice the hand over process of responsibilities and duties in C-IED operations such as route clearance to EOD operators to WIT teams and the transfer of collected samples to the JDEAL. The exercise scenario foresaw training such processes in high threat environments and between multinational units. 

The inclusion of the Joint Deployable Exploitation and Analysis Laboratory (JDEAL) marks the first time the laboratory deployed in its full operational mode. It was successfully integrated in the exercise chain of command. The laboratory was manned by around 30 JDEAL permanent staff, non-permanent staff, observers and trainees leading to the processing and exploitation of more than 50 cases which ranged from car bomb exploitation to cell phones and electronic media data recovery. 

The results of the exercise will now be thoroughly analysed however initial feedback from participants was very positive, highlighting especially the benefits obtained on a tactical and operational level. 

The first Bison Counter exercise took place in The Netherlands in 2013. Building on this experience, the EDA’s C-IED Project Team decided to institutionalise Bison Counter as a bi-annual C-IED dedicated activity under the umbrella of the EDA. The next exercise is scheduled for 2018. 

Copyright picture: Jimmy Croona/Swedish Armed Forces

More information:

• Bison Counter 2016 information on the website of the Swedish Armed Forces
• C-IED project page
• JDEAL project page

Following approval by the EU Member States in July, 14 military projects on SESAR deployment will receive a total of € 53.5 million in EU funding under the 2015’s call for proposals of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) published by the Innovation and Networks Executive Agency (INEA-call). This represents around 10% of total funds awarded to the related SESAR clusters. In its role of military coordinator for SESAR deployment, the European Defence Agency (EDA) had supported Member States to identify and prepare bids for this call.

In preparation of the INEA-call, around 100 projects were identified in close cooperation with Member States, NATO and Eurocontrol. Early 2016 over 20 key military projects were submitted to INEA through the EDA ranging from ground systems, to air platforms and also specific studies. This is the first time, the military benefits of financial instruments previously not at reach.

The next stage for the funded stakeholders, including the military, will be the formalisation of this award decision, turning it into the Specific Grant Agreements required under the SESAR Framework Partnership Agreement in order to have the projects coordinated by the SESAR Deployment Manager (SDM) and to receive the awarded funding through SDM.

Building on the lessons learned from the 2015 call and the priorities identified in the Deployment Programme 2016, EDA is already working with Member States and other stakeholders, to encourage and facilitate increased participation in the 2016 CEF Transport INEA Call on the basis of high quality military projects. Early identification of relevant candidate projects is essential in this perspective.

 

More information: 

• Single European Sky project page

The EDA’s Defence Policy Database which has been launched earlier this year was recently updated. The database currently contains 130 official documents from International Organisations and Member States providing a comprehensive overview of governmental documents on a wide spectrum of issues related to security and defence.

The database was created to share information on Member States’ defence policies. It mainly contains national defence and security strategies, strategic defence reviews, white papers, strategic concepts, R&T and industrial policies, military planning guidelines as well as defence procurement regulations. The latest update also encompasses the EU Global Strategy which was issued in June this year. 

The database features a repository of all documents and the analytical functionalities of the software allow users to search for specific information. For instance, content can be filtered along several indicators including strategic objectives and long term vision, threat perception, geographical areas of interest, and level of ambition.

The next major update is envisaged for October 2016. Governmental users can request access using their My.EDA account or sending a registration email to dpol(a)eda.europa.eu. 

More information:

• Defence Policy Database project page

 

How do key European defence companies approach and deal with the challenge of strategic innovation? European Defence Matters, the EDA's official magazine, spoke to Marwan Lahoud who is Executive Vice President International, Strategy and Public Affairs of Airbus Group.

The article below appeared in the 10th edition of European Defence Matters, the EDA’s official magazine, which you can read by clicking here.

Mr Lahoud, which lessons could you share with your peers regarding the specific features of strategic innovation in the area of defence?

European Defence Matters, Magazine issue 10

A genuine and sustained dialogue between the armed forces, defence procurement agencies and our engineers is essential to defence innovation. Our armed forces need to respond to new threats as they arise. Good defence innovation that is built around a genuine dialogue is more able to deliver the best and technologically superior equipment, much more cost effectively.
In defence, strategic innovation does not derive from incremental improvements but from a game-changer, a disruptor or a breakthrough. As Aesop’s fable “The Lion and the Mosquito” shows, a strong defence posture constantly requires adaption to new threats. Even the mighty lion can be beaten by the tiny mosquito if it can be lured into the spider’s web. That’s where strategic innovation comes into play. If an adversary takes a decisive advantage on a niche technology that can inflict severe damage to its opponent - it could be game over.
Robotisation, big data and artificial intelligence are now widely recognised as defence disruptors. At Airbus Group, we are dedicating substantial resources to the area of “autonomy”, including Unmanned Vehicle Systems (UVS). Autonomous systems can better protect soldiers’ lives, ease decision-making on the ground and reduce the overall cost of operations. Our latest example is the Zephyr, a High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (HAPS). The Zephyr runs exclusively on solar power and is thus able to fly autonomously for month, offering new solutions in military intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.

Beyond the demand from the armed forces, what are in your view the main drivers or blocking factors for strategic innovation?

A corporate mind-set favourable to innovation is critical. To grasp strategic innovation, companies need swift decision-making, less-risk adverse behaviour, failure acceptance, and fast spiral development cycles. This is the recipe for strategic innovation. Many defence companies used to be like big ocean liners: slow to move ahead and slow to change trajectory. This is changing. Those who have not taken this seriously are bound to fail.
On top of that, to be innovative, companies need to talk to the right guys outside the company. At Airbus Group we place a high priority on a continuous dialogue with SMEs, universities and research centers, partners and start-ups. We are maintaining an ecosystem that fosters and grows our innovation capabilities. This has led us to support centres like the Ludwig Bölkow Campus, right from the start. This Campus is an international hub for ground breaking innovations, new ways of thinking, and practical training in the aerospace industry. Located near Munich, which has one of the richest traditions of technology development in Germany, the campus is a place where science, education, and industry come together and take innovative ideas off the drawing board and turn them into real products.
Defence innovation is also clearly shaped by regulation. Intellectual property rights (IPR) are a driver, and European defence companies are more likely to engage in innovation if they feel that they can retain IPR for future market advantage. I am convinced that European support to defence industries should take this point into consideration. The limited Research and Technology (R&T) budgets for defence clearly diminish the European potential of innovation in defence which is one of the reasons why Airbus Group seeks a close interaction between innovation in defence and in the commercial area. Our business model is based on the duality of civil and defence which allows us to pursue innovation to the largest extent possible. Government investment in defence and research does however remain extremely important in driving innovation. Considerable pressures of course remain on public expenditure, which is why we applaud efforts by EU Member States to substantially improve their defence budgets. As a minimum it is absolutely crucial that member states meet their commitment to the NATO Defence Investment Pledge (2% GDP on defence with 20% on research and innovation).

Should European defence companies find new ways to promote innovation? How do you evaluate the business model and success of digital companies or actors such as SpaceX in this respect?

Let’s face it, Silicon Valley has been the source of major strategic innovations in the US for decades. Thanks to a strong initial push by the US Department of Defense (DOD), 15% of US patents are now produced in the valley but more importantly, major GAFAs-like companies were born there.
SpaceX and Google have undoubtedly marked an evolution in the aerospace industry. With OneWeb, Google and Airbus Group (as industrial partners for the design and manufacturing of a new fleet of microsatellites) are entering the “NewSpace”. OneWeb is about providing cheap internet access worldwide, thanks to an initial production of 900 satellites, each weighing less than 150 kilogrammes, for launch into low Earth orbit beginning in 2018. This industrial partnership clearly unites two of the world’s best players and I am sure this kind of joint effort will be replicated in other areas. SpaceX is also a case in point. This company has made great progress in the development of launchers and has capitalized on all possible drivers of innovation. But we cannot be naïve about this new approach. Beyond all the merits of SpaceX we cannot ignore the massive public support it has received from billions of dollars injected by NASA.

Which measures should be taken to halt the reduction in R&D spending? Are cooperative programmes one of the vital solutions?

In tough economic times, cutting R&D spending is an easy solution. Yet, countries like France, and Germany have not fallen into this trap. This is a shrewd decision, which we both recognise and welcome. Hi-tech corporations recognise the importance of sustained research investment and even in difficult times, boards will do everything they can to protect this investment, not to do so can cut companies out of future markets for years to come. It is the same in defence, cutting research investment can allow adversaries the window they need to develop threat capabilities that we will not be able to match.
Yet, European Member States’ cumulative R&D efforts are still way too low. With around 170 million Euros invested in defence R&T across Europe, representing 8% of total R&T expenditure of the Member States, European collaborative defence R&T barely exists. More worrying is that over the last ten years, European defence investment in R&D has declined by 30%. To the contrary, the US spent an average of €9 billion per year on defence R&T (i.e. four times European Member States spending combined) and an average of€ 54.6 billion per year on R&D during the period 2006-2011. Thanks to its ‘Defense Innovation Strategy’ (DII), more commonly referred as the ‘Third Offset Strategy’ (3OS) this effort will even keep increasing. For the fiscal year 2017, the US Defense Secretary has announced that €67 billion will be requested in defence R&D appropriations.
The Russian defence R&D budget has also doubled between 2012 and 2015 while think tanks estimate that the Chinese defence research budget will surpass the US by 2022.
Against this background, the establishment of the EU’s preparatory Action on defence research and its subsequent larger programme post 2021 is more than a laudable effort. It is the right move even if we regret that it may take some time to happen. I expect this action to be translated into concrete collaborative, innovative programs, meeting the current and future needs of our armed forces. As an example, VTOL RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aerial Systems) could be a potential solution for a wide range of future military applications, including surveillance missions in the maritime environment, operation from naval platforms, or land operations. I am sure that the EDA is fully aware of the importance of the preparatory action and will play a crucial role in making this endeavour a success.

About Mr Lahoud

Marwan Lahoud, born on 6 March 1966, is Executive Vice President International, Strategy and Public Affairs of Airbus Group, Executive Committee member since June 2007 and President of Airbus Group France. Prior to joining back EADS, Marwan Lahoud had run MBDA as Chief Executive Officer since January 2003. Mr Lahoud began his career at the French Defence procurement agency DGA in 1989. In 1995, Lahoud he was appointed Special Advisor to the French Ministry of Defence. In May 1998, he joined Aerospatiale as Vice President Development where he was responsible for negotiating agreements with Groupe Lagardère for the Aerospatiale-Matra Hautes Technologies merger. In June 1999, Mr Lahoud was appointed Senior Vice President Strategy and Planning for Aerospatiale Matra, where he also served as Senior Vice President Military Affairs. In 2000, Lahoud was appointed Senior VP Mergers & Acquisitions of EADS. During his tenure, he oversaw the creation of Airbus, MBDA, Astrium and EADS.

Common Security and Defence (CSDP) missions and operations are teamwork by nature, involving troops from different contributing Member States, all of them bringing with them and using their own specific equipment and outfit. Although the bulk of the materiel used in such multinational operations is traditionally of military nature and therefore well-known to all of the participating troops, serious issues can arise from civilian, commercially available off-the-shelve electronic products and utensils which are increasingly used by the Armed Forces to complement their purely military toolbox.

 

Such a patchwork of military, dual-use and civilian equipment used by troops from different Member States in a joint operation can entail considerable risks – from hampering the mission’s effectiveness to putting at risk soldiers’ lives.

Against this background, one crucial question arises: How to make sure that different troops coming from different Armed Forces using different types of technical equipment can nevertheless work together efficiently and safely?
Ensuring proper testing and evaluation of critical equipment - be it military or civilian - is part of the answer.

 

Electromagnetic Effects (EME)

That’s why the European Defence Agency (EDA) has taken the initiative to promote more systematic technical testing of CSDP equipment by Member States’ Test Centres and to set up an EU-wide Test and Evaluation Network, the Defence Test and Evaluation Base (DTEB).

One of the areas where Testing & Evaluation (T&E) is particularly crucial is that of Electromagnetic Effects (EME). Indeed, it is not unusual that commercially acquired electronic devices used by Armed Forces generate adverse interferences with its own military equipment or with that used by partner troops in joint missions.

Measures against such harmful and potentially dangerous electromagnetic effects can be seen in our daily experiences. For example, civil cell phones interfere with avionic devices; this is why sending functions of cell phones have to be switched off during flights. The damaging effects of electromagnetic interference pose unacceptable risks especially in military technologies; it is therefore necessary to control such interference and reduce the risks to acceptable levels by testing, evaluating and characterizing the threats. It is also important to set appropriate and updated design standards for emission and susceptibility levels and to test the compliance with those standards.

 

EME Networking in Europe

In order to mitigate the risks of fatal interference, several European nations have developed a network of military test centres, specialised in Electromagnetic Effects, which joined the EDA’s Defence Test and Evaluation Base (DTEB) to examine, amongst others, the hazardous impact of civil equipment on military operations and vice versa. This EU Network of military EME Test Centres (ENTER) conducts joint tests, exchanges results and works on harmonized standards towards enhanced interoperability of multinational forces.

Second round of tests to be launched in September

After having carried out a first, more general inter-laboratory comparison test (so-called ‘Round Robin Testing’), the ENTER group has now decided to launch a follow-up test in autumn 2016 which will entirely focus on current and future Electromagnetic Effects (EME) concerns. The preparatory meeting for this test round will take place end of September at the EDA in Brussels.

National test centres from six EDA member States (Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and Spain – the lead nation) will participate in this joint test event.

The objective is to evaluate a series of test methods and procedures in order to verify their accuracy and comparability. This is of great importance to national test centres because if it can be concluded that different methods and procedures applied by Member States’ testers are of identical quality and that they lead to the same results, then it will possible for national test centres to mutually recognize their test results - which means substantial savings of time and resources.

At this stage, ENTER is made up of the national test centres of the six afore-mentioned EDA members but the objective is to continuously expand the group.

“Important to share experiences and qualification methods”

Major Dr Ir Thierry Gilles, is an expert on electromagnetic effects working in the Belgium Laboratory of Electro-Magnetic Applications (LEMA) which is located in the Brussels-based Royal Military Academy. LEMA is a member of ENTER. “Even with a rather small test equipment, our laboratory can contribute to EME qualifications and tests because we are complementary to other EU test facilities in the EME Network. Our strength is for example the close relationship with research topics. This means that future developments can be taken into account for capability investments. This is a valuable contribution to the Network of EME T&E Centres”, Mr Gilles states.

“For example, deminers use firing devices which can be very sensitive to electromagnetic disturbances. Wireless devices are a cause for concern, in particular radio transmitters used in proximity of such life-critical devices. The risk of malfunction, such as a non-detection of a buried mine, or the premature explosion of the detonators must be evaluated”, he stressed. The importance of sharing test results and qualification methods among European Armed Forces is obvious. “It is very important for us to share those kind of experiences and qualification methods with other EU experts in the EME Network to optimise our qualification methods in an interoperable way”, says Mr Gilles.

Thomas Honke, the EDA’s Project Officer for Qualification Test and Evaluation, adds: “The example of electromagnetic effects is only one aspect in the large field of EU Test and Evaluation domains. Those kind of T&E collaborations in the defence sector will help to save lives, especially if shared test methods discover weaknesses of military equipment in a pan-European context. Based on exchanging this information in qualification, test and evaluation expertise networks, EU Member States can develop adequate countermeasures. This is the spirit of our EU Test and Evaluation Networking”.

 

More information:

• European Network on Electro Magnetic Effects Test & Evaluation capabilities Rationalization (ENTER) - EDA project page
• Defence Test and Evaluation Base (DTEB) portal
• EDSTAR portal

The Netherlands Ministry of Defence has today notified Parliament of the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Luxembourg to proceed with the acquisition of a pooled fleet of Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (A330 MRTT) aircraft, and the signing of a contract paving the way for the delivery of two aircraft with options for up to six more when, as expected, other nations join the grouping.

The contract also covers two years of initial support. Details can be seen at this news statement issued by the Dutch Ministry of Defence.

We (EDA, OCCAR, NSPA, Airbus Defence and Space) strongly welcome this agreement to acquire aircraft for operation by NATO following a process facilitated by the EDA.

Final arrangements will be made in the coming weeks between Europe’s organization for the management of cooperative armament programmes – OCCAR – acting on behalf of the NATO Support & Procurement Agency (NSPA) and the nations, and Airbus Defence and Space for the completion of the financial process resulting in a formal order for the aircraft.

Discussions are underway at various stages with Belgium, Germany, Norway and Poland with a view to those nations also participating in the programme, known as the Multinational MRTT Fleet (MMF) initiative.

Video and imagery of the A330 MRTT can be downloaded here. 

 

Media contacts: 

• European Defence Agency
  Eric Platteau +32 47 69 85 557 eric.platteau@eda.europa.eu
• Airbus Defence and Space
  Kieran Daly +34 689 669 661 kieran.daly.external@airbus.com
  Maggie Bergsma +34 637 513 486 maggie.bergsma@airbus.com
• OCCAR
  Falko Fanslau +49 22 85 50 21 16 falko.fanslau@occar.int
• NATO Support and Procurement Agency
  Karen Tissot Van Patot +352 30 63 65 57 karen.tissotvanpatot@nspa.nato.int

Representatives from 20 EU Member States gathered last week (20/21 July) in Bratislava for a two-day Cyber Security Cooperation Conference co-organized by the current Slovak Presidency of the Council of the European Union and the European Defence Agency (EDA).

The event was centred around three panels in which participants discussed different aspects of cooperation on cyber defence, starting with the political aspects of cooperation, moving onto public-private sector cooperation, and finishing with the challenges for military-to-military cooperation.

In his speech at the conference, EDA Chief Executive Jorge Domecq stressed the importance of European cooperation in the cyber defence field. The EDA, he said, is involved in this domain since more than four years when it established a platform for Member States to speak with each other about their requirements in cyber defence and cooperation. “And we can proudly say that within that relatively short time, we have significantly influenced the development of the cyber defence domain in Europe”. “Despite the sensitivities surrounding cyber defence, there is enormous scope for cooperation”, Mr Domecq continued, stressing that the EDA was ready to move forward its role in fostering cooperation on cyber security and defence in all dimensions, even beyond the traditional understanding of military to military cooperation. “Admittedly, we are in many cases in ‘uncharted waters’ but that should not prevent us from starting to navigate those waters. Cyber and Hybrid Threats require comprehensive responses”, he said.

Cyber threats are among the main risks and perils of the last decade, stated Ivan Máčovský, State Secretary at the Slovak Ministry of Defence. Therefore, the priorities of the Slovak EU Presidency are also geared towards consolidating the EU's unity and coherence in this field, he stressed. “It was acknowledged over the course of this conference that cooperation among the EU Member States in this field is of crucial importance, be it at the political or civil-military level. It is equally needed between the public and private sectors,” Mr Máčovský said at the conclusion of the event.

 

More information:

• Cyber Defence - EDA project page
• Communication and Information Systems - EDA project page

 

The European Defence Agency (EDA) and the European Union Satellite Centre (SATCEN) today formalized their close and fruitful cooperation, already in place since 2004, with an exchange of letters between Jorge Domecq (EDA Chief Executive) and Pascal Legai (SATCEN Director) at the EDA premises in Brussels.

Both organisations perform complementary roles and activities in the space-based earth observation domain and more generally in the space and security sector. Whereas the EDA’s work is focused on the harmonisation of requirements and the promotion of appropriate schemes for future capability development, SATCEN’s activity supports the decision making and actions of the EU by providing products and services resulting from the exploitation of space assets in particular in the CSDP field.

Since 2004, EDA and SATCEN have collaborated on projects as important as GISMO (Geospatial Information to Support Decision Making in Operations) and GISMO 2, SULTAN (Persistent Surveillance Long Term Analysis) and REACT.

With today’s exchange of letters, the EDA and SATCEN establish a more structured cooperation meaning that they will even more focus on activities of mutual interest, such as studies, workshops, projects and programmes. The new enhanced relationship will also see the nomination of Points of Contact on both sides to facilitate communication and cooperation.

Jorge Domecq, the EDA Chief Executive, hailed the exchange of letters as an important step and said he was “confident that, through our cooperation, EDA and SATCEN can bring a significant added value to their respective Member States by reducing administrative burden, facilitating common action where possible, supporting better planning, as well as contributing to the best use of our respective resources”.

Specific cooperation areas and joint roadmap

EDA and SATCEN have also identified specific cooperation areas such as imagery exploitation, geospatial analysis and applications, future space-based earth observation systems, cyber defence, Big Data exploitation in the space and security domain, space situational awareness or maritime surveillance. The two Agencies will also develop a joint roadmap for cooperation detailing the activities of common interest as included in the respective work programmes (3-year Planning Framework for EDA and annual Working Programme for SATCEN). The roadmap will be updated annually.

 

Background

The European Union Satellite Centre, which is based in Torrejón de Ardoz (Spain), was established by the Joint Action 2001/555/CFS on the establishment of a European Union Satellite Centre repealed by Council Decision 2014/401/CFSP of 26 June 2014. The Centre supports the decision making and actions of the Union in the field of the CFSP and in particular the CSDP, including European Union crisis management missions and operations, by providing products and services resulting from the exploitation of relevant space assets and collateral data, including satellite and aerial imagery, and related services.

 

More information:

• GISMO2 (factsheet)
• Persistent SUrveillance Long Term ANalysis (SULTAN) - project page
• EDA CE Jorge DOMECQ visits the SatCen (press release October 2015)

Defence equipment and platforms are most often deployed in hostile environments where their underlying materials are affected by diverse factors such as humidity, pressure, temperature and radiation. The consequences are fatigue, corrosion, plastic deformation, erosion and other effects which harm the equipment and increase vulnerability in operations. On 15 June 2016, 31 experts from various European Ministries of Defence, Armed Forces, European institutions, industry and academia participated in an EDA seminar to address the effects hostile environments have on materials.

High-level experts on materials and defence technologies gathered to discuss the effects of hostile environments on materials as well as possible solutions to mitigate these effects. In order to understand the importance of these issues, background information was provided on operational problems caused by material degradation and on current research work in this area carried out at EU level. The discussion focused on identifying the main effects suffered by materials used in military systems and platforms, the preventive technologies which could address them and the actions needed to reach the right Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) for the operational use of these technologies. Participants also addressed the challenges and the way ahead in view of raising awareness and sharing data.

The main outcome of the seminar was the identification of promising solutions such as coatings, structural health monitoring, smart materials, additive manufacturing and nanotechnology fabrication methods. However, industry requires understanding of operational military needs, calling for a larger participation of end-users in knowledge-building activities. Also, the specification of environmental properties of materials was viewed as necessary for guiding the production and design of future materials. More cooperation between defence structures, industry and academia, coupled with appropriate financial resources were considered key elements for the advancement of research work in this area.

The seminar was co-organized by the EDA’s CapTech on Materials & Structures, the Ministry of Defence Portugal, the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) and the University of Beira Interior (UBI).

 

More information:

• For further information, please contact: CapTech.Materials@eda.europa.eu
• EDA brochure: European Defence Agency Role in Research & Technology - Towards Enhanced European Future Military Capabilities
• EDA Defence Research & Technology conference report available now (news published on 19 May 2016)