GERMAN DEFENCE minister Volker Ruhe is threatening that Bonn may have to "reconsider" its bilateral co-operation programmes if France fails to commit itself fully to its joint helicopter programmes.
The French Government is debating possible cuts to the Eurocopter Tiger and NH Industries NH90 programmes, which Germany fears will cause unit prices to soar.
Eurocopter Deutschland says that Tiger workshare could be reviewed if France cuts its numbers substantially, while Daimler-Benz Aerospace (DASA) president and chief executive Manfred Bischoff says that he fears a delay of up to two years in the NH90 programme.
"We expect some reductions in the total numbers, especially regarding the NH90. There might be a re-arrangement in the delivery schedule, which would not be appreciated by the companies involved," the DASA boss says .
Sources in Bonn say that early reports that France wanted to cut its Tiger requirement from 210 to 90 helicopters, and its requirement for the NH90 from 150 to 50, are too pessimistic. The reductions have also been denied by the French Ministry of Defence.
At the same time, impending cuts in Germany's 1996 defence budget have placed in question Bonn's commitment to the Helios 2/Horus reconnaissance-satellite programme. Discussions are now under way about possible withdrawal of funds to accommodate a budget cut of between DM1.5 billion ($1 billion) and DM2 billion.
German participation in the satellite programme was a key condition to France agreeing to DASA and Aerospatiale's European Satellite Industries and European Missile Systems joint ventures.
DASA says that it is too early to speculate how the current debate could affect the projects, although company officials privately admit that the mergers could now be delayed.
The French Government is to issue a new defence-budget plan on 15 May, which will then be debated in parliament before a final vote of approval on 15 June. Eurocopter president Jean-Francois Bigay has promised to "...fight to the last minute" to preserve France's share of the Tiger order.
In a Government-sponsored debate on 30 April on the future of France's helicopter industry, Bigay deplored the failure of the defence ministry to approve Eurocopter's cost-cutting proposals for both helicopter programmes, submitted at the beginning of the year. These proposed a 20% cut over the next 20 years - the defence ministry is now insisting on 30%.
Bigay says that a go-ahead for Tiger production must be secured by the end of this year to ensure delivery of the first six aircraft to the French army in 1999.
Source: Flight International
