The trade associations representing the defence industries in the UK (A|D|S) and France (Conseil des Industriels de Défense Français or CIDEF) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that seeks to further increase cooperation between the two organisations and their members.
The agreement will also deliver additional support to the Treaty on Security and Defence Cooperation between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the French Republic, signed on 2nd of November 2010.
Following a bilateral Summit in June 2006 a High Level Working Group (HLWG) was established, with members drawn from UK and French Government and Industry, whose mission is to consider ways to build upon and enhance existing cooperation and collaboration in defence and advanced research and technology.
The MoU will see A|D|S and CIDEF seek to assist the implementation of the Treaty and to support the HLWG in the accomplishment of its mission. The agreement will see both organisations support further efforts to expand trade, through stronger economic and industrial cooperation, between the French Republic and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and toward export customers.
Guy Rupied, managing director of GIFAS, a constituent of CIDEF said: “A|D|S and CIDEF have enjoyed a significant relationship in the past. The signature of the Treaty last November between our two countries gave a new dimension to this relationship. With this agreement between our two associations, we will structure our cooperation and contribute to the support provided so far by both industries to the Treaty through the High Level Working Group.”
Rees Ward, CEO of A|D|S, said: “The UK and France are very important defence partners both politically and industrially. This MoU will help us strengthen the relationship at an industrial level to complement the work being done by our two Governments to boost our defence and national security capabilities.”
www.adsgroup.org.uk
