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Britain, France and Defence
Written by Claire Chick
This publication is attached to the following conference: Britain, France and Defence
At various points in the past centuries Britain and France have been bitter enemies and close allies. But the time seems ripe for greater cooperation between the two countries on defence matters. Introducing the Franco-British council breakfast seminar to address those opportunities Baroness Quin, chairman of the council, and Paul Beaver, a defence consultant and the chairman for the session, touched on the financial and political momentum for improved collaboration.The current economic challenges have increased pressures on defence budgets on both sides of the channel, generating a desire to find ways of saving money without undermining foreign policy objectives, operational sovereignty or compromising on equipment for the armed forces.Cooperation on defence procurement suggests one useful way to do just that. Joint weapons programmes should create economies of scale and increase inter-operability while industrial consolidation could reduce duplication and create global champions.Number of pages/format: 7
Published: March 2010