France objected to any modification of the existing EU export control rules for defence equipment in the EU, sources indicate. To streamline managerial procedures and accelerate weapons production, the Commission suggested easing the rules of national export controls to facilitate the transit of defence materials across European Union member states under the intra-EU transfer order.
Following an initial failure two years earlier, the EU executive tabled a rule modification again under the European Defence Industry Programme. EDIP’s responsibility is to subsidize defence procurement and manufacturing in Europe in an attempt to step up the long-term EU military-industrial sector.
But a year into EDIP talks, and a matter of weeks before wrapping up the discussions, Paris remains against relaxing the export control rules, sources added. Under the EDIP clause, France would waive its existing federal duty to monitor the travel of the defence outcome it exports within the EU.
Currently, when a French business exports a “sensitive” piece of equipment to another European Union nation (e.g., Germany), the French administration has to authorise the sale, just like it does with any other security item. Then, if Germany wishes to incorporate the element into another piece of equipment and re-export it to Sweden, Germany has to request France’s permission.
But the EDIP clause avoids French support of the re-sale: Germany might re-sell exposed products purchased from France to Sweden without prior consent by France. Paris contends this new clause extends beyond what is presently stated in the Intra-EU exchange of security-related materials, which is mum about this particular issue. And it really takes away France’s ability to understand where necessary parts go, the French protest.
Even though Paris has already objected to the clause, whether they can emerge victorious in the battle is unknown at present. It is possible to change the text. But with a greater battle on the horizon on whether non-EU nations could avail themselves of the EU’s defence programme, France may need to choose its actions and let this slip through, sources explained.
The nation is already battling on its own to stop European Union funds from being opened to foreign businesses producing their gear in Europe – particularly missiles – or to firms not having the authority to change equipment as per special needs or whose products have limitations on usage.
The other EU nations are all in support of maintaining their choices available, particularly on highly sensitive products, like ammunition and missiles. France’s drive against rule change on intra-EU defence exports won’t stop there.
The nation wishes to prevent the Commission from bringing forward a recasting of the directive in the first place. The modification would result in tougher or softer rules and, no doubt, hours of haggling over numerous technical and extremely political aspects of national sovereignty regarding the export of arms.
