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Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury says Europe needs to focus on its defense strategy given the threat from Russia, the continuing conflict in Ukraine and the possibility of a second term for President Trump. Stated. The call comes as European countries continue to support the Lockheed Martin LMT F-35.
Former President Donald Trump said in February that he would encourage Russia to “do whatever they want” if it attacked a NATO member he deemed “failing” to contribute to the common defense. Ta.
Mr Foley told the Guardian last week: “We issued the first warning to Trump 1. If Trump 2 is as strong as the US in expecting Europe to deal with itself, or even more If it is of this nature… we should take it seriously.”
Mr. Foley warned Europe against dividing its defense capability resources as it has done in the past, with three fighter jet programs competing for the same market: the Eurofighter, Sweden’s Gripen, and France’s Rafale.
In an interview with the Guardian, Foley noted that orders for Lockheed Martin’s fifth-generation F-35, which is popular with NATO allies, exceed orders for the Airbus Eurofighter and Dassault Rafale combined. did.
Lockheed Martin F-35 delays impact European deployment
Lockheed Martin has delivered approximately 120 F-35s to six European countries and expects to have more than 600 F-35s in 10 European countries by 2030. Airbus reports a total of 544 orders for Eurofighter jets in Europe, of which 486 have been delivered in 480 units. Surgery.
NATO allies, including Finland, Switzerland and Germany, are committed to developing Lockheed’s fifth-generation fighter jet.
“The F-35 stands out as one of NATO’s most effective integration tools since the end of the Cold War,” said Gen. James Hecker, commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe. stated in the announcement. Members of the Royal Dutch Air Force also participated at Nellis Air Force Base.
“Having both U.S. and non-U.S. pilots flying the same state-of-the-art aircraft will allow them to seamlessly exchange tactical data via advanced data links. Dutch F-35s flew the mission in a single four-ship formation on the eastern flank.
However, Lockheed is facing delivery delays for its F-35 Joint Strike Fighter as it waits for approval of its Tech Refresh 3 processor and software. Jim Teichlett, Lockheed’s president, chairman and chief executive officer, said on an earnings call in January that the company will deliver 110 F-35s this year, up from 75 instead of the previously planned 156. He said there is a possibility. He also suggested completing the approval of TR-35. 3 programs are likely to be postponed to the third quarter of this year.
This delivery gap jeopardizes the defense plans of Lockheed’s European customers. Some countries, including Belgium, Denmark and Norway, are concerned about their ability to increase production capacity and are facing delays in training pilots and mechanics.
Airbus believes Europe needs a unified sovereign defense strategy
Airbus believes that if Europe were to fight aggression alone, it would need to develop a unified defense strategy.
“If you want to be sovereign. To control our own future and what happens on Europe’s borders, Europe needs to be much more independent. I have it,” Foley told the Guardian. “We have left a lot of things in the hands of others. We are critical of most of the different systems in Europe and we don’t cooperate enough to generate large-scale investment. We buy mainly from outside Europe and mainly from the United States.”
I have contacted Airbus to follow up on Mr. Foley’s comments. An Airbus Defense and Space spokesperson answered my questions.
Regarding Foley’s comments about President Trump 2, the spokesperson said, “It is the privilege of the American people to elect a president. Our job as an industry is to evaluate the potential impact on our business operations.” It’s about anticipating some future scenario as best as possible and preparing for whatever it is.”
On whether Europe should strengthen its defense capabilities regardless of what happens in US politics, the spokesperson said:
“Europe has neglected defense for too long. The war in Ukraine has made everyone aware of the shortfalls resulting from years of underfunding and stagnant defense budgets. We lack critical defense supplies and systems to maintain our sovereignty against potential aggressors. Europe is starting to shift gears to overcome its defense deficiencies, and that’s a good thing. We’re keeping up with that pace. I am concerned that it is too slow.”
The Airbus spokesperson also said Europe needed to “act faster and more decisively” to cooperate on defense plans to “deter the aggressor.”
A defense spokesperson said: “There is a worrying trend in which both countries are acting quickly and disorganized to overcome deficiencies and supporting off-the-shelf acquisitions by non-European countries.” “At first glance, these may be quick and effective solutions, but from a strategic and long-term perspective they only increase our dependence on others. , and ultimately seek solutions to strengthen technological capabilities.”
Asked whether Europe has a sufficient sense of urgency and whether policy supports further funding for European defense programmes, an Airbus spokesperson said:
“Europe is starting to switch gears and the time has come to do so. It will be important to get the priorities right. That means putting European technological and industrial capabilities at the core of such activities. Only with a strong defense industrial base will Europe be able to protect its sovereignty.”
Airbus also believes that Europe has sufficient capacity to quickly strengthen its defenses without relying on foreign aid.
“Europe and its associated industries have everything we need to support our rapid expansion,” an Airbus spokesperson said. “Clearly, what we need is certainty in our plans, in other words to be able to prepare and ramp up production under contract.”
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