EU Governments Agree on an Armaments Cooperation Strategy

European Union National Armaments Directors (NADs) yesterday endorsed a strategy to promote and enhance effective European armaments Co-operation in support of the ESDP.>> The Strategy has three aims:> -- firstly, it will help to generate, promote and facilitate co-operation through a dedicated programme preparation phase. This phase is crucial, as early decisions are needed in order to reduce overall programme costs, to realise shortest possible timescales and have maximum performance.>> -- The second aim is related to the European Defence Industrial and Technological Base. A solid EDTIB is a prerequisite for effective European armaments co-operation. This includes greater transparency and mutual understanding between governments and industries.>> -- And a third strategic aim builds on the previous work of the Agency in improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the armaments co-operation more generally.>> "The Agency has worked together with its shareholders in preparing an Armaments Strategy that provides a solid foundation for improving the way we conduct armaments cooperation in Europe. Applying the Guide to the Conduct of a Programme Preparation Phase is a major step in translating the many facets of the Strategy into tangible action," said Eero Lavonen, who chaired the meeting.>> An intrinsic part of the Strategy is the Europe Defence Test and Evaluation Base (DTEB). The Steering Board approved a Conceptual Guide for DTEB to target priority areas, coordinate investments, encourage reciprocal use of facilities and create a network of Test and Evaluation capabilities, with the aim of having a consolidated and coherent European DTEB by 2030.