A British Ministry of Defence spokesperson has informed CTO that the UK could return to a conventional offset policy. While it remains too early to determine whether Brexit will impact defence procurement or industrial policy, including any future offset arrangements, the effect on defence procurement will form part of the government’s Brexit planning.
A former Senior Director of International Economic Affairs at the National Security Council says that offsets are now taking place in a new environment that departs from traditional risk calculations.
Poland has terminated negotiations over a potential offset deal with Airbus Helicopters, blaming Airbus. Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury issued a furious rebuttal, revealing otherwise confidential offset details. There would have been 45 technology transfer projects, providing Poland with at least 30 years of activity for state-owned Polish companies.
A lawsuit has been filed in a Washington DC federal court challenging U.S. foreign aid to Israel. The lawsuit was filed by Grant F. Smith, Director of the Washington, DC-based Institute for Research: Middle Eastern Policy.
The EC is finalising its evaluation of Directive 2009/81/EC for submission to the European Parliament next month. Members of the parliament have already submitted “opinions” on matters relating to the directive.