Defense, this is why Mbda attacks the EU Commission
Mbda filed an appeal for annulment in Brussels on the assignment of the EDF program for the study and demonstration of a new endo-atmospheric interceptor against hypersonic threats assigned to the consortium led by the Spanish Sener
Mbda is not there: an appeal for annulment filed with the European Commission against the assignment of the European hypersonic rocket project.
This was revealed by the French newspaper La Tribune . The General Directorate for Industry and Space in Brussels assigned the Eu Hydef (European Hypersonic Defense Interceptor) project, one of the most strategic and relevant programs of the first round of EDF (European Defense Fund), to the consortium led by the Spanish Sener.
Then defeated Mbda, a European missile group composed of Airbus (37.5%), BAE Systems (37.5%) and Leonardo (25%).
"The program, called European Hypersonic Defense Interceptor (EU HYDEF) and linked to the PESCO TWISTER (Timely Warning and Interception with Space-based TheatER surveillance) program, is absolutely strategic and very robust on a financial level, 100 million euros" he underlined in August Pietro Batacchi director of Rid .
This project must develop a European interceptor (greater than Mach 5) with the ability to respond to hypersonic threats. “This is an important program in terms of operational capability for Europe. Especially since the war in Ukraine has brutally confirmed the hypersonic threat ”comments the French daily.
At the end of July, the European Commission announced the results of the calls for the European Defense Fund (EDF) and selected the consortium led by the Spanish group Sener (German Diehl present).
According to sources from La Tribune , Mbda filed an appeal for annulment late last week with the European Commission after considering for several weeks whether to initiate this action. Interviewed by the head, the group led by Eric Beranger confirmed that they have filed an action for annulment.
All the details.
THE EU HYDEF PROJECT
The EU HYDEF (European Hypersonic Defense Interceptor) program, linked to the PESCO Twister project, concerns the development of a European interceptor capable of countering the threats of 2035 and beyond, weapon systems and sensors.
"The project will have to translate into the development of a concept, risk mitigation activities and the demonstration of a cost-effective endo-atmospheric interceptor capable of operating at different altitudes, including aerodynamic characteristics and flight control surface for high maneuverability. , highly agile driving concepts and advanced driving sensors ” explains SviluppoDifesa .
The program will last 36 months and will therefore cost around 110 million euros. The EU will contribute up to almost € 100 million to the effort.
AWARDED BY THE CONSORTIUM LEADED BY THE SPANISH SENER
So in July Brussels assigned the program to the consortium led by the Spanish Sener Aerospacial, in partnership with the German Diehl Defense. Another eleven partners are part of the consortium: Navantia; Escribano Mechanical and Engineering, GMV Aerospace and Defense, Instalaza SA and Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial Esteban Terradas of the Ministry of Defense in Spain; Instytut Techniczny Wojsk Lotniczych and Warsaw Institute of Aviation in Poland; LK Engineering Sro of the Czech Republic; the Norwegian Nammo; Ruag Space in Sweden and the Belgian group Sonaca.
THE DEBACLE OF MBDA
A defeat therefore for the consortium headed by Mbda, which had brought together 51 companies from 14 different countries and which above all brings together the most important skills in Europe in the hypersonic field, in particular in France and Italy through the SAMP / T program.
“It is at least questionable, in fact, that the Consortium led by Mbda finished second and is currently out of this project. Now, it is okay to want to ensure a solid industrial base throughout Europe, with an eye to SMEs, but in the case of a program with this strategic value, it is necessary to look at those who have consolidated skills in the sector such as MMbdaBDA which, to date, is the 'the only company in Europe that can boast a solid experience in anti-missile thanks to programs such as SAMP / T and SAMP / T NG, and to the interceptors of the ASTER family ”commented the director of Rid Batacchi.
WHAT THE BRETON EU COMMISSIONER SAYS
And after a few months, the European missile group has decided to file the appeal for annulment against the decision of the European Commission.
As La Tribune notes, the action comes when European Commissioner Thierry Breton, responsible for space and defense among others, is considering having two sources for the hypersonic European interceptor. In a recent interview with La Tribune , the French commissioner gave his vision of this dossier: “If you ask me – and here I am speaking on a personal basis – if it is a strategic topic, I answer yes. If you are asking me if it is so strategic that perhaps you need to have two sources, I am close enough to think so. Once again, this is an absolutely strategic issue for Europe. Therefore, the question will undoubtedly deserve to be asked in due time ”.
This is a machine translation from Italian language of a post published on Start Magazine at the URL https://www.startmag.it/innovazione/difesa-ecco-perche-mbda-attacca-la-commissione-ue/ on Mon, 03 Oct 2022 13:06:26 +0000.