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Aviation History
2001
2001 - 2490.PDF
Prospective OFF TARGET Although the Airbus Military A400M airlifter and the MBDA-led Meteor projects moved forward, there is still a long way to go STEWART PENNEY / PARIS n most respects the signing of memo randa of understanding (MoUs) for J the Airbus Military (AMC) A400M 3 airlifter and the MBDA-led Meteor beyond visual range air-to-air-missile were positive steps for both programmes - in the view of those involved. But neither MoU was signed by all participating nations and final contracts, expected by year end, are still some way off. Representatives of Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Turkey and the UK should have signed one or both MoUs. However, Italy failed to sign either; and only France, Sweden and the UK put pen to the Meteor agreement. Despite this, industry is bullish about both programmes. AMC is happy with 196 commitments plus probably another 16 for Italy. Germany surprised many by sign ing up for 73 A400Ms, despite speculation that Berlin cannot afford the aircraft and does not need so many. Other commit ments were Belgium's eight, including Luxembourg's single A400M; France, 50; Portugal, three; Spain, 27; Turkey, 10; and the UK, 25. It was a good Paris for Portugal, which also joined the NH Industries NH90 programme, taking a 1.2% stake in return for ordering 10 helicopters. Workshare split The Meteor MoU outlines the funding and workshare split between the participants: France (12.4%), Germany (21%), Italy (12%), Spain (10%), Sweden (10%) and the UK (34.6%). Significantly, the Meteor sig natories mean the missile will equip the Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter and Saab/BAE Systems Gripen, says MBDA chief operat ing officer Alan Garwood. An industry official says the Meteor Work on Meteor is underway but final contracts have yet to be signed by participating countries MoU "binds the nations at the govern ment level; it sets out the management, the creation of a joint programme office and each country's funding share as well as covering details about intellectual property right sharing". It is separate from contract negotiations, which have been running since the UK selected Meteor last year, he adds. Industry continues to expect a con tract signature with the joint programme office by the end of this year. The non- signing countries have given "assurances" that they will sign on the dotted line. An MBDA source says Meteor systems work has been started at its two con stituent companies - Alenia Marconi Systems and Matra BAe Dynamics - as well as at LFK in Germany and Saab in Sweden. Rocket motor specialist Bayern-Chemie has received a contract to begin developing Meteor's ramjet propulsion system. The Paris signings underline many of the problems associated with international collaborative programmes. While finalising agreements with two countries can be diffi cult, increasing the number of participants only increases a deal's complexity. Problems include changes of govern ment, shrinking national budgets, efforts to create a national capability, workshare issues and lengthy timescales for national approvals. None run simultaneously. Elections and other changes delay gov ernment processes. Italy abstained from signing both MoUs as defence minister Antonio Martino was sworn in just days before the show and was unwilling to sign deals without full briefings. For Spain to participate in Meteor, EADS Casa, Indra and Izara have formed a joint venture company, Empresa de Missiles Espanola. But this move is subject to more negotiations, further frustrating progress. Germany's defence budget suffered another round of "salami slicing" just prior to the Paris show, falling by €300 million ($256 million) to €23.6 billion. Speculat ion was rife that Germany would slash its A400M off-take to slightly above France's 50. Such figures are crucial for workshare handout and while Berlin is intent on securing maximum input for German factories, the rest of Europe is equally determined that workshare is based on firm orders, not vague promises of follow- ons. And at least one source within the Meteor consortium suggests there are elements in the German defence ministry and industry which are still not ready to accept that Alenia Marconi Systems will be responsible for the seeker. Although both programmes took major steps forward during the show, there are still major hurdles to be cleared some way to go before binding contracts are signed. • 36 3-9 JULY 2001 FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL www.flightinternational.com
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