French defence minister Herve Morin has called for increased European co-operation, improved productivity and a realistic approach to technology to increase the operational efficiency of his nation's armed forces.
Speaking at a defence conference in Toulouse, Morin also called for Europe-wide co-operation when the Airbus Military A400M transport enters service, and said that France's capacity for aerial deployment remains "punishing" while its air force awaits delivery of its first example in the fourth quarter of 2009, plus new tanker-transports.
"We created the [NATO] strategic airlift interim solution with several European countries to benefit from transport capabilities thanks to a pool of Antonov aircraft," said Morin. "Why should there not be a European pool for the A400M?"
Morin meanwhile expressed doubts about the "perpetual pursuit of the ultimate technology", branding Dassault's Rafale "a very sophisticated aircraft [that is] difficult to sell." Noting that the leap to "hypertechnology", or the 5-10% which represents the latest technological effort in a programme, can add between 20 and 30% to its cost, he pointed out: "when the Americans win contracts, it is often with secondhand [Lockheed Martin] F-16s."
Morin also said France needs to improve its information-gathering capabilities, partly through exploiting synergies between the civil and military sectors, such as with the Helios family of satellites, and also called for continued co-operation with allied nations in defence electronics.
Also calling for increased productivity from manufacturers and a simplification of the framework for supporting military exports, he warned that the principle of "juste retour" is damaging European industry. "The consolidation of European armament is progressing, but not quickly enough, and it is hampered by an often narrow concept of national rights and by excessive legal barriers," he said. "We should get rid of the industrial "juste retour" principle, as it often leads to unsuitable industrial set-ups which generate delays and cost overruns."
Source: Flight International
