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Transatlantic Defense Funding Disparity Worrisome, Says Lockheed
Martin Senior VP
"Chronic under-funding of defense programs in Europe in
the face of robust U.S. spending is a recipe for several unappealing
results," notes Lockheed Martin's senior VP for corporate
business development, Robert Trice.
"The United States is experiencing one of its cyclic upturns
in defense spending. In Europe, however, the situation is different.
While most European countries may have halted the decline in defense
spending, most have not yet increased defense spending to the
levels necessary to meet either their commitments or aspirations."
Trice spoke out in support of a recent declaration by European
aerospace industrialists, which called for their governments to
boost military spending, in particular research and development
financing. "Let me add Lockheed Martin's voice to that call."
Among the problems Trice sees arising if there continues to be
such a large difference in funding on both sides of the Atlantic
are more and bigger capabilities gaps; decreased European competitive
in the global market; reduced allied interoperability and military
effectiveness, and fewer opportunities for industrial collaboration.
"It is not the future we seek, nor is it the future that
we believe European industry leaders seek.
By Robert Wall
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