Groups to unite as the Aerospace Defence Association, with membership at national level rather than individual firms
Europe's three largest industry associations are to merge in a bid to exert greater influence on policy decisions originating from Brussels.
The European Association of Aerospace Industries (AECMA), the European Defence Industries Group (EDIG) and the Association of European Space Industry (Eurospace) are combining to form the Aerospace Defence Association of Europe (ASD), possibly this month. The three boards met to agree the merger last week.
ASD's membership will be made up of national associations rather than individual companies, unlike its US counterpart the Aerospace Industries Association. The new body will represent 20 countries, including non-European Union members Norway and Turkey. Some companies, including EADS, wanted direct company membership.
"The national layer is a disjointed approach," says EADS senior vice-president for EU and NATO affairs Michel Troubetzkoy. Following consolidation within European industry, some companies have found themselves members, albeit indirectly, of all three associations.
In some areas of forthcoming policy, such as definition of a pan-European defence agency, industry believes it needs a unified voice, says Troubetzkoy. Mergers between aircraft manufacturer associations and those for the defence and space industries have already taken place at a national level in several European countries, AECMA adds.
BAE Systems CEO and AECMA president Mike Turner is to lead the new body.
JUSTIN WASTNAGE / BRUSSELS
Source: Flight International