Aerospatiale has hit out at "misperceptions" of France's position on European aerospace and defence industry consolidation.
Denis Verret, Aerospatiale vice-president for international and commercial affairs, describes as "bullshit" suggestions that the French government will use its controlling shares in Aerospatiale to safeguard jobs above the commercial efficiency of the state-owned company.
He says the company has been making efficiency savings and it now has a "higher value-added per worker than BAe".
Taboos
He says there are "no taboos" in the talks with Britain and Germany to produce a plan for the consolidation of the industry, including rationa-lisations and privatisations.
"There are tough decisions to be taken," he says
"There must be urgency and proper progress. We have no difficulty making rational-isations."
Verret complains about a lack of knowledge of French state-owned companies among international observers.
Arsenals
In a reference to the persistently loss-making state-run GIAT Industries, he says: "We have nothing to do with the arsenals.
"We are in the market, we are competing in the market, 80% of our business is export and 80% commercial," he says. "Profits are progressing in the right direction."
The French government strongly backs the moves to consolidate European aero-space into a successful and profitable new form, he adds: "Our shareholder [the French government] is keen to see a consolidation take place with an optimum contribution of French assets."
Isolation
Moves to create an Airbus single corporate entity should not be completed in isolation from the consolidation of the rest of the industry into a single large grouping or a "European Boeing".
"The safety of Airbus relies on the partners adding other activities to protect it against a down cycle in the industry."
Many commentators see the most difficult problem in any merger being the reconciliation of the French state-owned companies with privately-owned British and German firms.
Important
"Any 'big bang' of the three major players in Europe [BAe, Dasa and Aerospatiale] will turn the French state's holding into the minority interest, which by its nature is a form of privatisation."
Dassault Aviation has to be part of the 'European Boeing', says Verret. It would not be possible or desirable if it did not take advantage of the French military aircraft contribution.
Source: Flight Daily News
