“United we stand, divided we fall,” this seems to be the governing message as the British Defence Minister Peter Luff and French Délégué Général Laurent Collet-Billon today hosted the inaugural UK-France Industry Day in London to forge closer ties between the two key allies and their military markets.
The event which was attended by more than 30 defence companies at prime, subcontractor and small-medium enterprise (SME) levels, provided a forum for both Governments to engage with industry and discuss issues relevant to last November’s Franco-British Treaty.
A major achievement of the day is that representatives from both the UK and French Defence industries attending the event were able to present their views, share experiences and build new networks that could potentially lead to Franco-British joint ventures, partnerships and investment. Discussions ranged from joint co-operation on equipment and capabilities, including Research and Technology, to addressing export licensing and consolidation of industrial sectors and investments.
Minister for Defence Equipment Support and Technology, Peter Luff said: “Since the British Prime Minister and French President signed the Treaty on Defence Co-operation we have made excellent progress but real and significant opportunities lie ahead.”
Looking ahead, Minister Luff said: “I look forward to British and French industry taking this opportunity to share experiences and build new alliances. This is a strategic relationship and, although there will be short term benefits, our real success will come over years not months. This is a marathon not a sprint and I hope our industries approach this relationship in that spirit.”
Whilst Monsieur Collet-Billon emphasised that in a difficult economic context, alliances are natural and provide opportunities both for sovereign nations, but also for Europe and NATO.
He said: “The depth of the Franco-British partnership is unique, relying on the wide range of interests and policies both countries share. Cooperation in acquisition, research and technology, capability planning, procurement and support is a vital component in a transformed defence relationship and a significant means of securing both military capability and necessary budgetary savings in a time of financial austerity.”
Adding: “We needed to deliver effective military equipment in the most efficient manner, minimising national constraints, developing interdependence where possible and strengthening industrial competitiveness.”
An MoD source disclosed that the hosts welcomed the close relationship between the Association of Aerospace Defence and Security (ADS), UK, and Conseil des Industriels de Défense Français (CIDEF), France. This was formalised through the signature on the 13th July 2010 of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at bringing the industries of both countries closer together in the support of the Treaty’s objectives.
Today’s event was organised and supported by UKTI Defence & Security Organisation and held in the BIS Conference Suite, London.
Fact File
Peter Luff MP is Minister for Defence Equipment Support and Technology at the UK Ministry of Defence. He leads on the equipment procurement and support programme including the Joint Supply Chain, science and technology; industrial policy; and Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Defence Support Group, Oil and Pipelines Agency and Atomic Weapons Establishment.
Laurent-Collet Billon is Chief Executive of Direction générale de l’armement within the French Ministry of Defence. He leads on equipment programme, preparation of the future capability, industrial strategy and export promotion. DGA is the first governmental investor in France.
High Level Working Group is the highest level of governance of our armament cooperation institutionalised by the Lancaster Treaty. It is co-chaired by Peter Luff and Laurent Collet-Billon; and report to the Senior Level Group (French Presidency and National Security Advisor).