There is cooperation requires what cooperate

At the next Summit Sarkozy-Cameron, in early November, it should normally learn more about the will of the United Kingdom to strengthen significantly its military cooperation with the France. At the time of rigour, London hopes to make substantial savings, sharing expenses with its ally maximum. Crossing in September in Paris, where he met his counterpart Hervé Morin, Liam Fox, the British Defence Secretary, made a stunning opening shows: "everything is on the table", he said in substance.

Perfidious Albion would therefore gentle eyes to the Gallic rooster Skeptics point to reason that, if its public finances were not so degraded, the United Kingdom would continue to snub its continental partner. As the limits of the exercise are perfectly posed. James Arbuthnot, the Chairman of the House of Commons Defence Committee, has recalled them: the two countries are "ideal" partners, but NATO - understand the United States - will remain "at the heart of our strategy" of national security.

That is important. Taking the ball to the bond, the French Ministry of defence, which he also tightening the belt, has revealed its drawers all bilateral cooperation outstanding records: fight underwater anti, joint naval patrols, drones, aircraft refuelers, maintenance of the A400M, satellites of dealing Even the common carrier could be on the agenda of the Summit. In all, 50 records are according to Admiral Guillaud, Chief of staff of the armed forces. After all, closer to the first two armies European, very similar in their means and their doctrines, makes sense from the operational point of view as well as budget.

Aware of the limits of the industrial cooperation with the Americans - the painful experience of probably JSF combat aircraft - the United Kingdom would even accept mutual dependencies with the France on certain technologies, for example missiles. Clear: this would streamline the offices of both sides of the channel to avoid duplicates. Pragmatic, English officials have finished step to realize that cost excessive policy served the industry and national sovereignty.

Promises, it sees it, there are many and carrying winds. Attention, however, does not induce a displayed inversely proportional to the political ambition disappointment. Because, at the time where all military budgets of the old Continent are declining, which will come out of the ongoing bilateral thinking will be only symbolic for the Europe of defence.

Twelve years ago, Jacques Chirac and Tony Blair to have laid the foundations at the Franco-British Summit of Saint-Malo. But, since then, despite a few external operations - such as the one conducted off the coast of Somalia-, "power Europe" remains a taboo expression. If November announcements, ultimately give birth a second time to a mouse, then it would be a hard blow to the efforts of twenty-seven for weigh - somewhat - militarily on the international scene. And, on the industrial level, the necessary transnational cooperation should simply long expedients.

Jean-Marie Poimboeuf, the President of Gican, the grouping of the industries of construction and French naval activities, still recalled recently. There is cooperation, requires what cooperate. And likely to be conducted in several countries weapons programs are rare since the major European navies have each developed their frigates. The finding also applies to the armoured (Europe has a dozen of manufacturers) and through competition Eurofighter and Rafale combat aircraft. To remedy industrial overcapacity, much runway of alliances to export. But again, it did not attack really road. It is sufficient to be convinced to look at what happens to the Brazil.

The Lula Government chose the French map rather than German submarines. So much the better for DCNS, too bad for TKMS. But it remains well positioned on other competitions. And yet everyone agrees that the narrowness of the market in the world makes the competition between two suicidal shipyards. With respect to the modernization of surface ships, the situation is even more laughable. Rio de Janeiro has launched an international consultation to which the France and the Italy will no doubt respond separately. How By offering each their Commander multi-mission, yet born of a French-Italian coopération!

In these circumstances, it might be time for some French industrialists too anchored to their arsenal of change of foot past. Since the European reconciliation projects are nothing, because they wake up economic patriotisms says Dassault boss, why not go shopping in the emerging countries Them at least still have growing military budgets. These last three years, the French State has been rather generous and some groups of armaments as DCNS or Nexter have pockets full. Strategy of settlements by acquisition conducted in its time by the ex-Thomson-CSF has made Thales Group always French, but perfectly global root. Why not emulate this example