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☆ Germany's refusal to send 'Taurus' missiles to Ukraine is highly contentious — but won't break the government
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-19 | by ( Sophie Kiderlin | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

One key concern is that Ukraine may need on-the-ground help from German soldiers to work the Taurus missiles — a red line for Scholz. Since last November, the CDU has repeatedly tabled votes on sending Taurus missiles to Ukraine in Germany's parliament and failed. Annalena Baerbock, Green party foreign secretary, meanwhile, discussed Taurus missiles with U.K. foreign minister David Cameron. Separately, a high-profile Green party MP joined forces with a prominent CDU politician to pen an op-ed advocating for the delivery of Taurus missiles. "Unfortunately the Taurus debate keeps sucking up all the oxygen in the room, repeating itself over and over again.

Persons: Olaf Scholz, Macron, Tusk, Christoph Soeder, Scholz, Chancellor Scholz, Frank Sauer, Annalena, David Cameron, Ulrike Franke, MBDA, Matthias Balk, Sauer, Franke Organizations: Polish, Federal, Getty, Taurus, Bundeswehr, Russia, Christian Democrats, Free Democrats, Greens —, Scholz's Social Democrats, CDU, Greens, Social Democrats, University of, Metis Institute for Strategy, Foresight, CNBC, European Council, Foreign Relations Locations: Ukraine, Germany, Russia, Germany's, Taurus, Bundeswehr Munich, Green, Swedish, Berlin

☆ Federal judge in Texas says agency created to help minority-owned businesses must provide assistance to all races
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-06 | by ( Devan Cole | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Washington CNN —A federal judge in Texas said Tuesday that a US Commerce Department agency intended to help minority-owned businesses must offer assistance to all individuals, regardless of race, agreeing with White business owners who claimed that its policies were unconstitutional. Because they aren’t on the Agency’s magic list, the Agency presumes they aren’t disadvantaged,” Pittman wrote. Time’s up.”The MBDA is one of the only federal agencies focused exclusively on developing and advocating for minority-owned businesses. In recent years, conservatives have increasingly turned to federal courts in Texas to challenge certain federal programs and actions. “To the extent the MBDA offers services pursuant to an unconstitutional presumption, that’s fifty-five years too many,” Pittman said in his latest ruling.

Persons: Mark Pittman, Donald Trump, Pittman, …, ” Pittman, ”, Nixon, “, ’ ”, MBDA Organizations: Washington CNN, US Commerce Department, US, Minority Business Development Agency, Latino, Agency, US Department of Commerce, Fort, Northern, Northern District of, Biden, “, Centers Locations: Texas, Asian, Fort Worth, Northern District, Northern District of Texas, SFFA

NEW YORK (AP) — A federal judge in Texas has ordered a 55-year-old U.S. agency that caters to minority-owned businesses to serve people regardless of race, siding with white business owners who claimed the program discriminated against them. The agency, which helps minority-owned businesses obtain financing and government contracts, now operates in 33 states and Puerto Rico. Justice Department lawyers representing Minority Business Development Agency declined to comment on the ruling, which can be appealed to the conservative-leaning 5th U.S. John F. Robinson, president of the National Minority Business Council, said the ruling is “a blow against minority owned businesses," and does nothing to help majority-owned businesses because they already enjoy access to federal resources through the Small Business Administration. "It has the potential of damaging the whole minority business sector because there will be less service available to minority-owned businesses,” Robinson said.

Persons: Mark T, Pittman, Donald Trump, Nixon, Biden, ” Pittman, Dan Lennington, ” Lennington, John F, Robinson, ” Robinson, Arian Simone, Alphonso David, David, Stanley Goldfarb, ”, “, —, David Glasgow, Graham Lee Brewer, Haleluya Hadero Organizations: —, U.S, Northern, Northern District of, U.S . Commerce Department, Infrastructure Investment, Jobs, Black, Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty, Justice Department, Business, Agency, Circuit, National Minority Business Council, Small Business Administration, Economic, Pfizer, The, Appeals, American Alliance for Equal Rights, Meltzer Center for Diversity, New York University’s School of Law, Supreme, AP Locations: Texas, Northern District, Northern District of Texas, Puerto Rico, New Orleans, Tennessee, Atlanta, The New York, Florida, New

☆ Leaked audio obtained by Russian spies reveals Germany considered giving Ukraine missiles to destroy key Crimean bridge: WSJ
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-03 | by ( Lloyd Lee | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The officials were discussing plans to send Ukraine missiles that could destroy the Crimean bridge. AdvertisementLeaked audio obtained by Russian spies and later broadcast by the Russian state-controlled news network RT on Friday shows that top German officials were discussing plans to possibly send Ukraine long-range missiles that can take out the key Crimean bridge. Senior German officials confirmed the authenticity of the audio to The Wall Street Journal. The leaked audio does not confirm that Germany was definitively going to send Taurus missiles to Ukraine. "We demand explanations from Germany," Maria Zakharova, the Russian Foreign Ministry's spokesperson, told TASS, the Russian state news agency.

Persons: —, Ingo Gerhartz, it's, Olaf Scholz, Scholz, Gerhartz, Maria Zakharova Organizations: Ukraine, Service, Senior, Wall Street, The, Associated Press, Taurus, Russia —, Russian Foreign, TASS Locations: Germany, Russian, Ukraine, Kerch, European

☆ German chancellor appeared to suggest that British and French soldiers have helped Ukraine fire 'deep-strike' missiles at Russian targets, report says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( Nathan Rennolds | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewGerman Chancellor Olaf Scholz has been criticized for a "flagrant abuse of intelligence" after he appeared to suggest British and French soldiers had been helping Ukraine fire missiles they had supplied. "German soldiers must at no point and in no place be linked to targets this system reaches," he added. A German government spokesperson told Business Insider they had no comment on the reports. Thierry Wurtz/MBDAIn May 2023, the UK became the first country to begin sending Ukraine long-range missiles with the delivery of long-range Storm Shadow missiles. According to the Atlantic Council think tank, they enable Ukraine to target ammunition depots and command posts deep inside Russian territory.

Persons: —, Olaf Scholz, Scholz, Ben Wallace, Tobias Ellwood, Thierry Wurtz Organizations: Service, Business, Storm, Associated Press, Telegraph, Former UK, of Commons Defence, British Ministry of Defence, Armed Forces of, Rafale, Atlantic Council, Fleet, BBC Locations: Ukraine, Germany, Britain, France, Europe, Russia, Armed Forces of Ukraine, Sevastopol

☆ Ukraine is getting a new cache of Storm Shadow missiles from its allies
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

France announced it is giving Ukraine around 40 more SCALP/Storm Shadow missiles. The long-range missiles have enabled Ukraine to hit targets deep behind Russia's lines. AdvertisementFrance announced on Tuesday that it was sending Ukraine roughly 40 more long-range Storm Shadow missiles, which have become a key weapon in Ukraine's arsenal. President Emmanuel Macron said that around 40 SCALP missiles — also known as Storm Shadow missiles — as well as hundreds of other bombs would be delivered to Ukraine in the next few weeks, as part of a new deal to give the beleaguered country more sophisticated weapons. AdvertisementStorm Shadow/SCALP missiles have allowed Ukraine to strike far behind Russia's lines, and have enabled it to hit key military targets.

Persons: —, Emmanuel Macron, Macron, Thierry Wurtz, Joe Biden, Donald Trump Organizations: Ukraine, Service, Russia, Associated Press, Rafale, Republicans Locations: France, Ukraine, Russian, Hungary, Russia, Europe

REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration Acquire Licensing RightsROME, Nov 15 (Reuters) - Italy's Leonardo (LDOF.MI) is trimming its stake in U.S. unit DRS (DRS.O) as new CEO Roberto Cingolani looks to expand the state-controlled group with major roles in European defence projects. Two sources at Leonardo confirmed that the DRS deal was part of that strategy. Cingolani, a former government minister who became CEO in May, has embraced the need to create broader European alliances to take advantage of rising defence budgets. It has pointed to its cross-border MBDA European missile company joint venture with Airbus (AIR.PA) and BAE Systems (BAES.L) as a model for the projects. Some analysts expressed surprise that the company was reducing its stake in DRS, acquired 15 years ago in a $5.2 billion deal when the Italian group was known as Finmeccanica.

Persons: Leonardo, Dado Ruvic, Roberto Cingolani, Cingolani, Intesa Sanpaolo, Leonardo's, Nick Cunningham, Giulia Segreti, Armellini, Kirsten Donovan Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, DRS, Global Combat Air, Leopard, Airbus, BAE Systems, Agency Partners, Thomson Locations: U.S, East, Europe, Italy, Britain, Japan, Leonardo's Milan, Italian, Rome

☆ MBDA's British arm signs $5 bln deal to bolster Poland's air defence system
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

British Secretary of State for Defence Grant Shapps walks outside Number 10 Downing Street, in London, Britain, October 24, 2023. REUTERS/Hannah McKay Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Nov 7 (Reuters) - The British arm of defence firm MBDA has signed a 4 billion pound ($4.92 billion) deal to supply Poland with ground-based air defence systems, the British government said on Tuesday. Britain's Ministry of Defence said the partnership would boost Poland's Narew air defence programme and help bolster European security amid the conflict in Ukraine. "This is another crucial step forward for our historic defence ties with Poland, supplying next generation air defence capabilities to act as a clear deterrent to our adversaries," British Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said. The air defence system would be able to launch missiles at air threats such as cruise missiles and fighter jets at ranges of more than 40 kilometres, the ministry said.

Persons: Defence Grant Shapps, Hannah McKay, MBDA, Grant Shapps, Mariusz Blaszczak, Italy's Leonardo, Sachin Ravikumar, Alan Charlish, William James Our Organizations: State, Defence, REUTERS, Britain's Ministry of Defence, British, Airbus, Britain's BAE Systems, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, British, Poland, Ukraine, Poland's

An artificial heart by French manufacturer Carmat is seen during an interview with Reuters in Velizy, near Paris, January 11, 2021. Sources said Carmat, which had 24 million euros cash at mid-year, was looking to raise a total of around 100 million. Airbus said this week it had invested 50 million euros in Carmat but did not address whether it would spend more. It most recently invested 10 million euros in March 2022. Matra Defense paid a dividend of 207 million euros to Airbus in 2022, filings show.

Persons: Christian Hartmann, Jean, Luc Lagardere, Alain Carpentier, Carpentier, Stephane Piat, Emmanuel Macron, Thomas Toepfer, Piat, Samir Devani, Carmat, Tim Hepher, Michal Aleksandrowicz, Laura Lenkiewicz, Stephanie Hamel, Josephine Mason, Elaine Hardcastle Organizations: Reuters, REUTERS, Rights, Airbus, PARIS, Lagardere's Matra Defense, Carmat, Rx Securities, FDA, Zurich University, Matra Defense, Thomson Locations: Velizy, Paris, French, Carmat, United States, Lagardere, Taiwan

[1/2] A model of a new fighter jet of the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) led by Britain, Japan, and Italy, is seen at the DSEI defence event in London, Britain, September 12, 2023. Reuters/Sarah Young/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsTOKYO, Sept 21 (Reuters) - Japan, Britain and Italy plan to choose Britain as the headquarters for their next-generation fighter program, four sources in Japan said, putting London at the forefront of a partnership that could expand to include other nations. "Discussion about the headquarters is ongoing and we are unable to comment on the location," Japan's defence procurement agency said in an email. "No final decisions have been made on the locations and we will not comment on speculation," a spokesperson at Britain's defence ministry said. Officials at the Italian defence ministry were unavailable for comment.

Persons: Sarah Young, Leonardo, LDOF.MI, Richard Berthon, Britain's, Tim Kelly, Nobuhiro Kubo, Paul Sandle, Angelo Amante, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Global Combat Air, Reuters, Rights, London, United, United Arab Emirates, Combat, Britain's Ministry of Defence, BAE Systems PLC, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Mitsubishi Electric Corp, Royce PLC, Japan's IHI Corp, Thomson Locations: Britain, Japan, Italy, London, Saudi Arabia, United Arab, GCAP, European

FILE PHOTO-People gather at the BAE Systems' booth during the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Global Force Symposium & Exposition in Huntsville, Alabama, U.S. March 28, 2023. REUTERS/Cheney Orr/File PhotoSummaryCompanies First-half EPS up 17%Sees full-year EPS 10%-12% higher, previous forecast 5%-7%Lifts interim dividend by 11%Shares up 5%LONDON, Aug 2 (Reuters) - Britain's biggest defence company BAE Systems (BAES.L) upgraded its guidance for 2023, forecasting annual earnings growth of 10%-12%, as governments spend more on military equipment in "an increasingly uncertain world". BAE Systems said its good operational performance plus the demand from its customers, the biggest of which are the United States, Britain, Saudi Arabia and Australia, meant its full-year results would be better than expected across the board. Shares in BAE Systems jumped 5% in early deals. For 2023, BAE said earnings per share would grow 10%-12%, compared to the 5%-7% increase it had forecast in February, while it also lifted sales guidance to 5%-7% growth from 3%-5%.

Persons: Cheney Orr, Charles Woodburn, Woodburn, Hargreaves, Aarin, Sarah Young, Paul Sandle, Kate Holton Organizations: BAE Systems, Association of, United States Army, Global, REUTERS, BAE, Thomson Locations: Huntsville , Alabama, U.S, United States, Britain, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Russia, Ukraine, Asia, Pacific, Europe, Czech Republic, Poland, Qatar, Christian

☆ France to supply Ukraine with long-range cruise missiles
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-11 | by ( John Irish | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A French diplomatic source said they were talking about 50 SCALP missiles produced by European manufacturer MBDA. The missiles would come from existing French military stocks, a French military source told reporters, adding that it would be a "significant number". Paris has previously supplied Mistral shoulder-launched anti-aircraft missiles to Ukraine and Crotale short-range anti-air missiles, which are used to intercept low-flying missiles and aircraft. The missiles were being integrated into Ukrainian Russian-made warplanes, the French military source said. "There are guarantees for (restricting) the use of these missiles to internationally-recognised borders of Ukraine," the military source said.

Persons: Emmanuel Macron, Macron, MBDA, Paris, John Irish, Sabine Siebold, Alex Richardson, Alexander Smith Organizations: NATO, Franco, Thomson Locations: VILNIUS, France, Ukraine, French, Lithuania, Paris, United States, Britain, British, Ukrainian Russian, Russia, Kyiv

☆ Storm Shadows are a threat to Russian forces in Ukraine, but busted missile remains may offer lessons for Moscow's military
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-11 | by ( Ryan Pickrell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

UK-provided Storm Shadows are a new threat to Russian forces operating in Ukraine. Russian forces recently claimed to have recovered a downed missile. The recovered Storm Shadow could hold clues for the Russian military, but there's a question of whether they can learn from them. A Storm Shadow missile is prepared for loading to a Royal Air Force Tornado GR4 aircraft in the Gulf in support of Operation TELIC, March 21, 2003. Throughout the fight in Ukraine, Russian forces have had to learn lessons, but it's often a grinding and costly process.

Persons: Storm, Ben Stansall, Ian Williams, Williams, TELIC, Cpl Mark Bailey, that's, Ben Wallace, it's, there's Organizations: Service, Shadow, Storm, Farnborough, Missile Defense, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Russia, Royal Air Force Tornado, REUTERS, ASA, Su Locations: Ukraine, Russian, Wall, Silicon, Russia, Zaporizhzhia, Moscow, France

☆ UK says the Storm Shadow missiles it gave Ukraine have been wreaking havoc on Russian targets and are accurate 'almost without fault'
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-27 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The air-launched Storm Shadow missile is being used to great effect in Ukraine, the UK said. UK defence minister Ben Wallace said in a statement to the House of Commons that "the Storm Shadow missile has had a significant impact on the battlefield." The Storm Shadow's impact on the Russian army in Ukraine has been primarily around its logistics, and command and control, Wallace said. The UK announced in May that it would send an undisclosed number of Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine. A hole in the Chonhar bridge that connects Russian-held Kherson to Crimea, which Russia says was caused by a Storm Shadow missile strike.

Persons: Ben Wallace, —, MBDA, Wallace, HIMARS, Ukraine's, Sergei Shoigu, Vladimir Saldo Organizations: Shadow, Service, of, Storm, MBDA Systems, US, Wall Street Journal, Reuters, Russian, Telegraph, Storm Shadow Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Kherson, Crimea, Russian, United States, Britain

☆ NATO pushes for common standards to tackle shortfalls in artillery munitions
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-13 | by ( Sabine Siebold | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

But the lack of common standards among the various manufacturers has hampered the flow of munitions supplies. It will take place on the sidelines of a NATO defence ministers' meeting in Brussels on Thursday and Friday. Demand for 155mm artillery rounds has soared in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. "If national governments could bring themselves to throw national standards over board and agree on common NATO standards – in particular with regard to munitions – this would be a landslide change," the defence source said. Before that many NATO countries had already run down their stocks as governments considered wars of attrition with big artillery battles a thing of the past.

Persons: Caesar, Jens Stoltenberg, KMW, Leonardo, Northrop, Abrams, Armin Papperger, Sabine Siebold, Gwladys Fouche, Angus MacSwan Organizations: Separate Artillery Brigade, REUTERS, NATO, BAE Systems, Turkish, Dynamics, Leopard, Lockheed, Northrop Grumman, British Storm Shadow, Rheinmetall, RND, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Avdiivka, Donetsk region, BRUSSELS, Kyiv, NATO, Brussels, Kongsberg, Vilnius, Oslo

☆ Ukraine's defense ministry says its Storm Shadow long-range missiles have hit 100% of their targets
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-29 | by ( Aditi Bharade | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Ukraine's defense ministry tweeted that its Storm Shadow missiles have hit "100%" of their targets. However, Russia also claims it's intercepted two of the Storm Shadow missiles, per Reuters. "Storm Shadow long-range missiles have hit 100% of the targets identified by the General Staff," the ministry tweeted on Sunday, attributing the information to Ukraine's Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov. The Storm Shadow missiles have a range of over 155 miles, per MBDA, a European missiles developer and manufacturer. Ukraine's defense ministry did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment sent outside regular business hours.

☆ Britain will send Storm Shadow cruise missiles to Ukraine, giving it dramatically enhanced range to strike at Russian positions deep in occupied territory
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-11 | by ( Alia Shoaib | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The UK Defense Secretary confirmed Britain would send Ukraine Storm Shadow long-range missiles. Ukraine has repeatedly asked for weapons to hit Russian positions deep behind the front line. The stealthy Storm Shadow is an air-launched long-range cruise missile jointly developed by the UK and France. The US has said it will not send long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems to Kyiv because it has few to spare. It was the first Western ally to send Ukraine its Challenger 2 tanks, after which the US sent M1 Abrams tanks.

☆ Missile maker MBDA signs 1.9 billion pound deal with Poland
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LONDON, April 28 (Reuters) - The UK arm of European missile maker MBDA on Friday agreed a 1.9 billion pound ($2.37 billion) deal with Poland to provide it with a British-designed air defence system, the British government said. "I am delighted that the UK and Poland’s deep and historic defence ties take another step forward with the signing of the largest ever UK defence export deal with Poland," British defence minister Ben Wallace said in a statement. The missile deal will see Britain deliver 22 Polish air defence batteries with British Common Anti-Air Modular Missiles (CAMMs) and launchers. The government said the contract would support more than 500 jobs at MBDA UK. The government said the British-designed CAMMs developed by MBDA UK are already deployed to Poland with the British Army to protect its airspace following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The most surprising appointment was that of the new Enel chief Flavio Cattaneo, a seasoned corporate manager who leaves his role as vice president of high-speed train operator Italo to lead the country's biggest utility. He leap-frogged Stefano Donnarumma, the current chief executive of power grid Terna (TRN.MI), widely seen as Meloni's first choice. Enel shares were down 4% on Thursday, with investors fretting over Cattaneo's lack of expertise in the renewable energy sector. Leading politicians in Meloni's right-wing coalition said this issue was a major stumbling block for Donnarumma, along with pressure from League chief Salvini, a strong supporter of Cattaneo. Besides concessions on Enel, Meloni kept a tight grip on the rest of the main appointments.

☆ The UK is sending Ukraine a newer, longer-range missile that lets humans guide it all the way to the target
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-23 | by ( Michael Peck | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Brimstone missiles are anti-armor weapons, and the original has already been sent to Ukraine. Brimstone 2 has an added feature: the ability for a human to guide the missile to its target. The Brimstone 2 is a longer-range version of the original Brimstone air-launched anti-tank missile already issued to Ukrainian forces. A Brimstone missile at British Royal Air Force base RAF Marham in December 2015. Brimstone missiles are visible at the lowest point under the fuselage.

[1/4] Italy's Defence Minister Guido Crosetto poses for a picture during an interview with Reuters, in Rome, Italy, December 16, 2022. Defence Minister Guido Crosetto, a co-founder of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's Brothers of Italy party, said Rome would make a final decision on how much to invest in the multi-billion-dollar project after more details had been defined. Crosetto said there should be no bar on joining forces with the rival European programme, adding that the GCAP should also aim to find new partners, especially within Europe. Italy has never disclosed details of its shipments, but Crosetto confirmed that Kyiv had requested air-defence systems, including the Franco-Italian SAMP/T. He added that Italy was also open to suggestions for joint procurement by the EU Defence Agency.

☆ Japan, Britain and Italy to build jet fighter together
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

Japan, Britain and Italy are merging their next-generation jet fighter projects in a ground-breaking partnership spanning Europe and Asia that is Japan’s first major industrial defense collaboration beyond the United States since World War II. Amid what it sees as deteriorating regional security, Japan this month will announce a military build up plan that is expected to double defense spending to about 2% of gross domestic product over five years. “It’s also good for our international reputation”The proposed jet fighter aircraft Tempest, shown during the Farnborough Airshow, in southern England in July. Britain also wants Japan to improve how it provides security clearances to contractors who will work on the aircraft, sources with knowledge of the discussions told Reuters. “The United States supports Japan’s security and defense cooperation with likeminded allies and partners, including with the United Kingdom and Italy,” the U.S. Department of Defense said in a joint statement with Japan’s Ministry of Defense.

TOKYO/LONDON, Dec 9 (Reuters) - Japan, Britain and Italy are merging their next-generation jet fighter projects in a bridge between Europe and Asia that marks Japan's first major industrial defence collaboration beyond the United States since World War Two. Britain also wants Japan to improve how it provides security clearances to contractors, sources with knowledge of the discussions told Reuters. The two new platforms would compete head-on with each other and the United States in the global fighter market. "There is going to be a Battle Royal in the next 10-15 years in positioning the various players," said UK defence analyst Francis Tusa. The United States, which has pledged to defend all three countries through NATO and a separate security pact with Japan, welcomed the new Europe-Japan agreement.

TOKYO/LONDON, Dec 9 (Reuters) - Japan, Britain and Italy are merging their next-generation jet fighter projects in a ground-breaking partnership spanning Europe and Asia that is Japan's first major industrial defence collaboration beyond the United States since World War Two. Amid what it sees as deteriorating regional security, Japan this month will announce a military build up plan that is expected to double defence spending to about 2% of gross domestic product over five years. Britain also want Japan to improve how it provides security clearances to contractors who will work on the aircraft, sources with knowledge of the discussion told Reuters. The United States, which has pledged to defend all three countries through its membership of NATO and a separate security pact with Japan, also welcomed the joint Europe-Japan agreement. "The United States supports Japan's security and defence cooperation with likeminded allies and partners, including with the United Kingdom and Italy," the U.S. Department of Defense said in a joint statement with Japan's Ministry of Defense.

☆ European weapons manufacturers scramble to adapt to wartime demand
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-11 | by ( Benoit Van Overstraeten | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the alliance has started dialogue with industry and allies on how to boost production and replenish weapons stocks. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterHe told a news conference that defence ministers would take decisions to increase stockpiles. Nicolas Chamussy, chief executive of French defence firm Nexter, said industry had to respond to a dramatic increase in EU demand for military equipment, while production capacities were designed for peace time. Last Friday European Union leaders agreed to give more financial and military aid to Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy will ask the leaders of the G7 group of nations to urgently supply Ukraine with air defence weapons.

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