London and Berlin will act jointly to promote the export of the Eurofighter combat aircraft

Signed in 1971. Consequently, 1972 in order to supervise relations between France and Germany in the field of armaments industry, the Debré-Schmidt agreements stipulated that “neither of the two governments will prevent the other government from exporting or letting the armament or production materials export in third countries” and that “each of the two governments[ait] To be delivered without delay and according to the procedures provided for by national laws, the export authorizations necessary for the supply of these components to the exporting country ”.

However, refusal of one or the other of the parties remained possible … Consequently, but that in exceptional information. However. Moreover. However, in the 2010s, this exception has almost become the rule, Berlin having repeatedly hampered london berlin will act jointly new the execution of london berlin will act jointly export contracts obtained by French industrialists, in particular in the field of terrestrial weapons. Nevertheless,

The Aix-la-Chapelle Treaty should have allowed to return to the spirit of the “Debré-Schmidt” agreements. However, it was nothing. Therefore,

Indeed. article 3 of this agreement specifies that Germany cannot oppose the export of weapons systems developed within the framework. of cooperation with France as soon as the latter contain less than 20 % of German components [hors contrats de maintenance et pièces détachées]. Unless Berlin believes that a sale is likely to harm his security and/or direct interest.

However. from the moment when German industrialists are involved up to 33 % in the air combat system of the future [SCAF]. that their participation is 50 % in the main terrestrial combat system [MGCS]Berlin will always be able to upset French arms exports … london berlin will act jointly new Besides. this subject will again be the subject of london berlin will act jointly discussions. as announced by Sébastien Lecornu, the Minister of the Armed Forces.

However, Berlin’s restrictive policies in terms of military equipment exports did not only embark on French industrialists … Their British counterparts also had to complain.

Thus. the German embargo on sales of arms intended for Saudi Arabia prevented London from concluding a possible contract on. the delivery of 48 Eurofighter EF2000/Typhoon combat aircraft to the Saudi air forces. And the same scheme was repeated with Turkey, which plans to order forty devices of this type.

Result: due to the lack of export contracts and “domestic” orders, the BAE Systems assembly lines are now stopped.

Admittedly, in recent months, Germany has softened its positions with regard to Saudi Arabia and Turkey. However, these countries have not yet signed the slightest contract london berlin will act jointly new to obtain typhoon.

Be that as it may. things will no doubt change london berlin will act jointly after the signing of the Treaty of Friendship. Bilateral Cooperation between the United Kingdom and Germany on July 17. Indeed. the two countries have undertaken to “carry out common export campaigns” in order to obtain international orders of equipment which they produce jointly. such as the EF2000/Typhoon and the infantry combat vehicle [VCI] Boxer.

“The parties recognize the importance of having a reliable program in terms of transfers. exports in order to ensure the economic. political success of their industrial cooperation […] As well as their respective skills to authorize the transfer or export, from their territory, of defense equipment from intergovernmental programs or developed by their industries, “it is specified in article 8 paragraph 1 of this treaty, known as” Kensington Treaty “.

Finally, this text only brings london berlin will act jointly new up to date the philosophy of the Debré-Schmidt agreements … but between Germany and the United Kingdom. london berlin will act jointly It only remains for France to obtain similar guarantees from its German partner.