Main headlines from this issue

The UK’S new offset policy – where ‘encouragement’ is a persuasive consideration

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The MoD’s own definition of its policy relies on the same threads in the DSIEP that existed beforehand. This is what the definition says with the ‘threads’ in italics.....

Taiwan: more directs, no credit banking, and a frustrating approval process

Credit banking has been discontinued and credits can’t be transferred between the armed services. A negotiation task force has recently been set up. Pre-project approvals have started though not as yet final approvals to begin implementation.

Territorial dispute with China revives Philippines’ countertrade programme

The settling of a difference of opinion over the meaning of ‘best efforts’ and a row with China are expected to result in a surge of countertrade agreements with defence contractors selling to the Philippines.

Mexico homes in on a policy to support the aerospace sector

Mexico is preparing an offset policy to support the country’s defence and aerospace industries through technology transfers. The goal is to boost employmentand to establish the aerospace sector as a global force in exports by 2020. The plan to roll out the offset policy across the board including all federal procuring agencies has been dropped.

Norway remains beyond the Directive’s scope – for now

Norway is blessed; it is not a member of the European Union. The EU Commission regards Directive 2009/81 EC as relevant for Norway but the EEA committee is the body that decides and they have not yet placed the directive on their agenda.