Although it is the moment of a fuel card eIn fact the number of customers declined 6 Everything is then negotiated with the bankerBut the change is the more net economicallyThe first Fugger we know was the name of HansThey are provided by involuntary creditorsSix months later Neelie Kroes is revengeThe negotiation and dialogue are far from their fortA strong demand of the unions but not employersPrudence selectivity lack of confidenceMarch 23, 1983: in a speech which will be date, Ronald Reagan launched his initiative for strategic defence, quickly dubbed "Star Wars". The idea Cover the United States of a vast impenetrable shield, to protect themselves from Soviet nuclear warheads. A quarter of a century later, the USSR has disappeared, but step the threat, since the Korea of the North and the Iran resumed the place of the "bad guy". What support the determination of Washington.
And Europe's response to all this Nothing or almost. The old Continent, France in mind, goes only to move. A visit at the stand of the General delegation for armaments le Bourget to be convinced. Visitors can see that video of a prototype, called spiral. Spiral Understanding infrared preparatory system for alert, acronym given to a space demonstrator for the detection of departure from rockets. Made up of two micro-satellites, was launched the year last from Kourou. A little light when compared to the ten heavy GBI American missiles ready to fly in space. Not to mention mobile Thaad (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) and Patriot interceptors for the defence in the atmospheric layers. A quick glance at the website of the US Agency missile shows the enormity of the resources committed.
The conclusion seems to impose itself: once more, Europe is bound to depend on the umbrella of Uncle Sam. This is perhaps going a little too quickly. On the one hand, because it focuses too much on the ballistic missile threat, i.e. on long-range missiles (over 3,000 kilometres) of weapon of mass destruction. Of course, no one denies the reality of the risk of proliferation and white paper of defence and national security well pointed out. And, on this niche of the threat, only the United States have the means to develop as powerful as targets interceptors. This does not mean as much as the France has nothing to offer in his defence.
Very long range radar
First, there is the diplomatic weapon. If this is not enough, Paris can still send its aviation bomb preemptively launch ramps or order that is drawn salvos of missiles cruise Scalp, available soon from frigates or the nuclear attack submarines. Same reasoning for the United Kingdom. But, especially, by quickly detecting the origin of fire (thanks to spiral), nuclear deterrence is that more credible, because the enemy knows that he runs the risk to be identified. And then wiped off the map.
On the other hand, for Europe, the key issue concerns the second part of the threat: the short and medium range missiles (less than 3000 km) with conventional loads. Weapons that even relatively poor countries can afford. It is on this niche that the France, the United Kingdom and the Italy can still have the means of their ambitions. How By changing their Aster surface-to-air missile and by developing a very long range radar, explains Antoine Bouvier, CEO of the missile manufacturer MBDA, a subsidiary of EADS, BAE Systems and Finmeccanica. For what is radar, it is provided in the law of military programming 2009-2014. For the evolution of the Aster, however, should find a few billion euros here in 2020. PAS gagné.
It is in the defence of Europe, but the maintenance of the chances of MBDA to export. Because, by proposing a complete offer as they did in the United Arab Emirates (interception in high and low of atmospheric layers), the American industrial can marginalize the European missile manufacturer. "It must react very quickly because otherwise the market of anti-aircraft defence, which provides a quarter of our revenue, will close for us", warns Antoine Bouvier.
