Today's Date:

The National Assembly National Defence and Armed Forces’ Committee’s summer school is holding its third meeting. (...)

This year’s chosen theme, “Cooperation-exporting: what capabilities, what industry, what Europe?”, is at the heart of the problems of the European defence industry.

Answering these questions:
- contributes to the momentum of our economy and technological prowess
Indeed, the defence industry creates economic spin-offs and is a source of many direct and indirect high-technology jobs in France.
- guarantees the defence of our countries and interests
by developing for France and Europe the technology which we need for our own defence and also allows us to take a leading position in military operations: in the information and space spheres, and major command systems.
- and, finally, ensures our influence in the world

The defence industry is a key piece in France’s success in the export markets.

To take up these three challenges, the Defence Ministry needs an ambitious policy centring on the concept of competitive autonomy, thus allowing it to position itself at the heart of the government’s new industrial policy, getting Europe to share this ambition.

(...)

Europe must have an industrial ambition.

Europe must tackle the armaments market issues proactively and without any taboos:

I’m keen, as I’m sure are many of you, to see the emergence of a genuine European armaments market. It’s an industrial, technological and operational necessity. Once again, it’s not a vision motivated by fear or protectionism. Rather, it’s an ambition for Europe.

We have to reconcile two imperatives:
- on one hand, allow fair and normal competition between the European industries;
- on the other, recognize the specific nature of a European armaments market, and allow Europe to build its own industrial policy.

In this context, the concept I wish to promote, competitive autonomy, is in essence European.
In this respect, I want resolute, swift progress on the question of the code of conduct. It is a means of preventing narrow protectionist practices, leading to inefficiency and extra costs.

The code of conduct would be useful when pursuing the efforts of the European Defence Agency (EDA) to achieve the convergence of capacity and operational needs. It would also encourage the consolidation of our industries. By tackling these three tasks at the same time, we will create the conditions for establishing an integrated, flexible European market, which our defence industry needs.

Europe must take control of its destiny through the EDA:

Innovation helps drive industry and is a source of growth.

In budgetary terms, exorbitant sums aren’t being spent on R&D and more countries should realize its importance.

We should unite our efforts. In this respect we need to ponder the appropriateness of funding programmes which develop technologies outside Europe. Mobilizing funds for research creates wealth in our countries, and so jobs for tomorrow. For this we need an ambitious Agency capable of giving a lead to EU member countries. The example of NEURON shows that we can work together. By entrusting the MALE UAV programme to the EDA, I want to contribute to this momentum. France isn't claiming any exclusive leadership in this programme. On the contrary, she is calling for a genuine European project in a sector of strategic future importance.
On a more general note, this year the EDA has already got an operational budget. If its director proposes to us stimulating, concrete and ambitious programmes (...), I am ready to provide significant funding alongside our partners.

I have already had occasion many times to express my determination to go on building Defence Europe. (...) I hope I have convinced you that France has the will, and is giving herself the resources to create the conditions for securing Europe's strategic autonomy and sustainable growth. (...)./.