Latest news with #défense
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Macron wraps up UK state visit with defence pact 'reboot'
French President Emmanuel Macron wraps up a three-day state visit to Britain on Thursday with a summit aiming to "reboot" defence ties with a focus on joint missile development and nuclear co-operation. Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer are also expected to discuss maintaining support for Ukraine and curbing undocumented cross-Channel immigration. Ahead of the summit, which follows two days of events spanning pomp and politics, trade and culture, France and Britain announced their "defence relationship" will be "refreshed". They will order more Storm Shadow cruise missiles -- long-range, air-launched weapons jointly developed by the allies -- while stepping up work on a replacement system. The missiles have been shipped to Ukraine in significant numbers to help Kyiv in its war with Russia since 2022. Starmer and Macron will also agree to deepen nuclear cooperation and "work more closely than ever before on nuclear deterrence", according to Britain's defence ministry. A new declaration will for the first time state that the British and French deterrents are independent but can be coordinated, and that an "extreme threat to Europe" could "prompt a response by both nations", the ministry said. - Threats 'multiplying' - The partnerships -- to be developed under a refreshed Lancaster House agreement first struck in 2010 -- herald a new "entente industrielle", making "defence an engine for growth", it added. "From war in Europe, to new nuclear risks and daily cyber-attacks -- the threats we face are multiplying," Starmer said in a statement. "As close partners and NATO allies, the UK and France have a deep history of defence collaboration and today's agreements take our partnership to the next level. "We stand ready to use our shared might to advance our joint capabilities -- equipping us for the decades to come while supporting thousands of UK jobs and keeping our people safe." Late Wednesday, at a speech to London's financial community, Macron said the two countries were "stronger together". Starmer and Macron will also on Thursday dial into a meeting of the so-called "coalition of the willing" on Ukraine. Britain and France are spearheading talks among the 30-nation coalition on how to support a possible ceasefire in Ukraine, including potentially deploying peacekeeping forces. Starmer's office said this week that the call would "discuss stepping up support for Ukraine and further increasing pressure on Russia". They will speak with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, according to the French presidency. - 'Innovative solutions' - Macron's visit, the first by an EU head of state since Brexit, has been loaded with Anglo-French bonhomie and unifying rhetoric, alongside the usual pageantry of such occasions. Macron and his wife Brigitte received a particularly warm welcome Tuesday from the Francophile King Charles III and Queen Camilla. The pair toasted a new "entente amicale" at a lavish state banquet at Windsor Castle, hailing the importance of cross-Channel relations amid various emergent threats. Wednesday saw the French president's visit turn to politics, with a Downing Street meeting with Starmer focused on migrant small boat crossings -- a potent political issue in Britain. It is set to feature again at Thursday's summit. Downing Street said the two leaders had "agreed on the need to go further and make progress on new and innovative solutions, including a new deterrent to break the business model" of cross-Channel people smugglers. Macron also met with Anglo-French business representatives during the visit, while joining Starmer at the British Museum to formally announce a landmark cultural exchange. France will loan the famous Bayeux Tapestry, depicting the 1066 Norman conquest of England, to the British Museum for 10 months from September 2026. In return, London will lend French museums the collection from the Anglo-Saxon Sutton Hoo site, one of England's most important archaeological sites, as well as other medieval "treasures". bur-jj/jwp/tw/sco
The Independent
09-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Macron: Britain and France must shoulder burden of keeping Europe safe
French President Emmanuel Macron became the first European leader since Brexit to undertake a state visit to the UK and address a joint sitting of Parliament. Macron urged Britain and France to collaborate closely on European security, defence, and the migrant crisis, emphasising their shared responsibility as the continent's leading military powers. He stressed the urgency of defending Europe against Russian aggression in Ukraine, warning that its advance threatens all European nations. Acknowledging Brexit as a past event, President Macron called for a renewed close bond between the UK and France, highlighting cultural exchanges like the Bayeux Tapestry display. The visit included a state banquet hosted by King Charles and Queen Camilla, alongside discussions on critical political issues such as the ongoing Channel migrant crossings. \
Reuters
30-06-2025
- Business
- Reuters
France's Orange launches defence division to support European security sector
June 30 (Reuters) - French telecoms operator Orange ( opens new tab is establishing a new defence and homeland security division as it steps up efforts to support actors in these sectors in France and Europe, it said on Monday. The specialised division will be a part of Orange Business which serves businesses and organizations. It will deploy connectivity solutions, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity services, and integrate civilian and military networks, targeted at defence ministries, security operators and related industries. European companies are set to benefit from countries' growing defence budgets as the continent seeks home-grown alternatives to rely less on the United States. NATO members agreed earlier in June to bring their defence spending target to 5% of gross domestic product by 2035. France is also leading Europe's efforts to secure communications by raising its stake and spearheading a capital increase plan for satellite operator and Starlink rival Eutelsat ( opens new tab. "We are ideally positioned to meet the rapidly evolving needs of this highly specialized sector, which relies on civil solutions," said Nassima Auvray, who will lead the new division. Several hundred experts will be brought together from various group entities within Orange to work on the division, the company said in a statement. Orange owns and operates seven cable ships that install and maintain underwater telecom cables, critical infrastructure that has become a focus of European security concerns amid reports of Russian sabotage attempts. Other telecoms companies aiming to pivot to defence include Finland's Nokia ( opens new tab which will jointly develop tactical networks for the German armed forces.
Forbes
25-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
European Defense Buildup May Cause Supply Chain Delays And Shortages
French Air Force Rafale jet fighters patrol the airspace over Poland as part of NATO's response to ... More Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Photo by NICOLAS TUCATBy Sebastian Janssen and Ben Martin Reznik The surge in European defense spending that began in earnest two years ago may begin to disrupt industrial supply chains in aerospace and other sectors as military contracts compete for parts and materials with civilian industries. Europe's military expenditures are set to rise as much as 80% between 2024 and 2030, reaching between €650 billion and €750 billion. The increased spending is driven by countries like Germany, France, and the United Kingdom, but European Union member nations in general are increasing their defense budgets as part of the EU's 'Rearm Europe' plan. The 2024 spending was around €417 billion, while 2023's defense budgets were about €354 billion. Increases in European military spending began with the 2014 seizure of Crimea by Russia and rose significantly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. While only about one-third of the total EU defense allocation will go for equipment, this rapid aerospace and defense expansion will still pose challenges for an already squeezed European industrial supply chain, which will likely struggle to keep pace with this new growth. Evidence of a squeeze on parts and material has already been seen in aerospace production shortfalls over the past several years. By the end of 2024, aerospace manufacturers rolled out fewer than 1,300 commercial airliners — 30% below its 2018 peak, based on Oliver Wyman's Global Fleet and MRO Market Forecast 2025-2035. Making matters worse, suppliers may be inclined to prioritize defense contracts over those from other industries as pressure from governments to rapidly ramp-up may prompt defense contractors to pay higher prices for the large quantities of parts and materials they seek. Government contracts like this are particularly attractive as they tend to be longer term programs. Since the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, European nations have been beefing up their air forces ... More and militaries. The sectors that will feel the squeeze most Our analysis, based on publicly available data of more than 600 secondary suppliers predominantly focused on the European market, reveals critical vulnerabilities. Overall, we see significant overlaps between the supplier networks for defense contractors and various adjacent industrial sectors, especially involving electrical components, electronics, and mechanical parts. Some more complex components, such as pneumatic and hydraulic systems, may become scarce depending on the industry. In the industrial machinery sector, bearings, sensors, mechatronics, hydraulics, and simple system components emerge as having a high overlap with aerospace and defense manufacturers. These essential components, vital for the operation of machinery, could become increasingly scarce as suppliers begin to service, and potentially prioritize, defense applications. The rail industry faces a similar fate, with printed circuit boards and housing assemblies, semiconductors, microelectronics, and control units among the most vulnerable subsegments. In the automotive sector, the stakes are even higher. A potential shift in supplier priorities toward defense contracts — or even the simple addition of more demand from defense — could severely impact an already strained supply chain. Among the vital automotive components that may become scarce are simple electrical components, such as harnesses and cables and connectors, as well as sensors and hydraulic systems. The energy sector is also not immune. Key components such as wire harnesses, cables and connectors, and bearings are at risk of becoming harder to source[BR1] . Strategies to mitigate supply chain risks These findings underscore a pressing need for manufacturers like automakers, as well as machinery and rail manufacturers to proactively address these vulnerabilities. It remains uncertain how quickly parts and raw material suppliers can scale up production in response to the escalating demand from air, land, and naval defense contractors and governments. Understanding and mitigating the risks will be crucial for maintaining operational continuity and competitiveness in an increasingly volatile landscape. In recent years, supply chain departments have already faced numerous disruptions. These included the semiconductor crisis from 2020 to 2023, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the COVID pandemic, and the recent threat of global trade wars and tariffs. Despite this decade of challenges, most supply chain departments still engage in reactive problem-solving rather than proactive planning. It is crucial for organizations to anticipate and mitigate supply chain risks, given already tight conditions for many parts and materials and the explosive outlook for demand. Among the tactics manufacturers can use: identify and qualify alternative suppliers to diversify the supply base, increase transparency with suppliers so end users can provide hands-on crisis management if necessary, and establish an internal, cross-functional task force that monitors the real-time marketplace, similar to a tactic used during the semiconductor shortage. Supply chain disruptions have become increasingly frequent and are now considered the new normal. Factors such as geopolitical tensions, natural disasters, and fluctuating trade policies contribute to an unpredictable environment, challenging the resilience of various sectors. To thrive in this landscape, companies must develop capabilities that allow them to proactively address and manage these disruptions. This includes investing in advanced data analytics for real-time visibility, establishing agile and flexible supply chain strategies, and fostering robust partnerships with suppliers to ensure continuity and adaptability. By enhancing their resilience, end users can not only mitigate risks but also seize opportunities for growth and innovation in an ever-changing world. Sebastian Janssen is a partner and the head of Oliver Wyman's global supply chain team, while Ben Martin Reznik is a principal in the firm's Transportation and Advanced Industrials practice. Nick Schlomka, an associate with TAI, contributed research and insights to this article.
The Independent
28-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Indonesian and French leaders meet for defense and trade talks
French President Emmanuel Macron met with his Indonesian counterpart Prabowo Subianto on Wednesday in a visit aimed at boosting defense and trade cooperation as part of his roughly week-long trip to Southeast Asia focused on strengthening regional ties in an increasingly unstable global landscape. Macron arrived in Indonesia's capital, Jakarta, on Tuesday evening with French First Lady Brigitte Macron for a three-day visit to Southeast Asia's largest economy. It was the second stop in his tour of the region after Vietnam, where Macron signed a deal to sell Hanoi 20 Airbus planes. 'We are very excited to meet again with my brother, President Prabowo,' Macron told reporters shortly after arriving at Jakarta's Halim Perdanakusuma air force base late Tuesday, 'He is a great friend of mine and the relationship with your country is a very strategic and friendly one." Military cooperation between Indonesia and France has grown in recent years, while Subianto was serving as Indonesia's defense minister. The two leaders met last November on the sidelines of the 2024 G20 Summit in Brazil, where they discussed Indonesia's plans to buy fighter jets and submarines from France. Indonesia finalized an order for 42 French Dassault Rafale fighter jets in January 2024, and the first delivery is expected in early 2026. The country also announced the purchase of two French Scorpene Evolved submarines and 13 Thales ground control interception radars. Five of the radar systems are expected to be installed in the country's new capital, Nusantara. Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin said the two leaders will oversee the signing of letter of intent for the procurement of strategic weapons systems including fighter planes and submarines. 'The essence of this (visit) is to strengthen defense cooperation between Indonesia and France,' Sjamsoeddin told reporters after welcoming Macron and his wife at the air force base on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Subianto hosted Macron and Brigitte in a ceremony at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta before the two leaders led a bilateral meeting. Indonesia has embarked on a drive to upgrade and modernize its arsenal and strengthen its domestic defense industry. Subianto has crisscrossed the globe since he was appointed as defense minister in 2019, traveling to China, France, Russia, Turkey and the United States in a bid to acquire new military weapon systems as well as surveillance and territorial defense capabilities. The Indonesian Air Force currently operates a mix of fighter jets made in various countries, including the United States, Russia and Britain. Some of those aircraft have reached or will soon reach their end-of-life phase and need to be replaced or upgraded. During the visit, Macron is also scheduled to meet with ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn to discuss regional issues, and to give public lectures at Jakarta State University. On Thursday, Macron and his wife are expected visit Borobudur, a 9th century Buddhist temple in the center of Indonesia's Java island and to visit a military academy before heading to Singapore, where he will speak at Asia's top defense conference, the annual Shangri-La Dialogue.
