CONFIDENTIAI,
EUROPEAN DEFENCE CO-OPERATION
2ND DRAFT
14. The Government attaches particular importance to European defence
co-operation within the framework of the Alliance, especially over
the procurement of equipment, both in order to achieve economies
and also to increase fighting efficiency by promoting standardisa-
tion and inter-operability. Equipment collaboration also facilitates
joint logistic support and training arrangements, such as are now
being discussed, for example, among the four European countries who
have agreed to purchase the Lance surface-to-surface missile system
from the United States. Successful joint projects so far include
the Anglo-French Jaguar and the helicopters Lynx, Puma and Gazelle.
with Germany and Italy we are making good progress in the development
of the Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) and the medium artillery pieces, FH 70 and SP 70.
15. At the Eurogroup meeting in December 1974, following a British
initiative, Defence Ministers agreed that comprehensive joint
examination of national forward plans for procurement was essential
to ensure that worthwhile opportunities for collaboration were
taken up.
16. The European NATO countries have continued to make a substantial
contribution to the strength of the Alliance. The billion dollar
European Defence Improvement Programme, adopted by the ten Furogroup
countries in 1970 (Cmnd.4592) and designed both to improve the
effectiveness of national forces committed to NATO and to accelerate
certain common projects of major military significance, is now
approaching a successful conclusion. In the communique following
their recent December meeting, Eurogroup Ministers were able to
announce plans for the introduction into service in 1975 of an
impressive list of major new equipments,
7
CONFIDENT IAI,