Unless there is an unprecedented coming together of Europe's aerospace
technology resources along with its political decision-making
and requirements processes "then we are finished."
That's according to Eurofighter's CEO Filippo Bagnato, who says
that only a superior high-technology base and a united political
front can prevent "another Poland"-referring to Poland's
selection of the F-16 in the face of intense European competition.
Bagnato believes that unless this rationalization happens, then
Europe is out of the next generation combat aircraft scene and
its defense industry could disappear altogether. What could save
it, he says, is a unified approach to European procurement policy
and R&D funding.
He is a great admirer of the Airbus business and requirements
chain. "I'm not a dreamer,' says Bagnato, "I know how
difficult it has been to get this far, but Eurofighter and its
industrial capability mass could become a huge asset for Europe,
if Europe decides to get together better. There has to be substantial
change with our approach and I wonder if the solution to Europe's
problems is a single aerospace manufacturer that deals with a
single European procurement customer too. If not, we're finished."
