Memorandum from the Defence Industries
Council
You invited evidence from industry to support
the Committee's inquiry into the UK-US Defence Trade Co-operation
Treaty. I am writing on behalf of the Defence Industries Council
(DIC), which is the senior body which seeks to provide Government
with a perspective on strategic defence industrial issues and
includes the four national defence Trade Associations (the SBAC,
DMA, Intellect and BNEA).
The DIC was pleased to welcome the signing of
this Treaty, and believe it will help to strengthen defence co-operation
between the United Kingdom and the United States.
Once ratified and implemented, the Treaty will
provide the means to more effectively leverage the strengths and
innovation of the UK and US defence industries to provide state-of-the-art
material and support to the men and women of the Armed Forces
of both nations and to contribute to their enhanced interoperability
on the battlefield, now and in the future.
The DIC has consulted with its membership and
the Trade Association membership to seek views on the Treaty.
There appears to be wide spread support across industry for the
objectives of this Treaty and a strong desire that legislatures
in both countries will give early approval so it can be brought
into effect. To illustrate this support, twenty major defence
companies, many with strong transatlantic links, agreed to a joint
statement welcoming the treaty. These companies were:
| BAE Systems | MBDA
|
| BNEA | Kembrey Wiring |
| Cobham | QinetiQ |
| DMA | Raytheon Systems Limited
|
| EADS UK | Rockwell Collins |
| Finmeccanica | Rolls-Royce |
| GE Aviation | SBAC |
| General Dynamics UK | Thales UK
|
| Intellect | Ultra Electronics
|
| Lockhead Martin UK | VT plc
|
It will be important for the Treaty's success that the implementation
arrangements are developed in consultation with industry. We are
working closely with the Export Group for Aerospace and Defence
(EGAD) and have held a number of informal discussions with the
MOD to clarify the proposed approach for implementation. We will
wish to ensure that these arrangements do not create an unnecessary
additional administrative burden on companies, and that they are
consistent with the positive spirit of the Treaty. To safeguard
against any unintended consequences we hope that the Government
will look to share with Industry the emerging draft implementation
arrangements at the earliest possible opportunity, so that we
can offer considered advice. We believe the MOD recognises the
value of such an engagement.
We have arranged for a DIC led team to provide oral evidence
to the Committee, which will comprise:
| Ian Godden | Secretary DIC and CE SBAC
|
| David Hayes | Chairman, EGAD
|
| Dr Jerry McGinn | AIA and Northrop Grumman
|
| Sandy Wilson | CEO, General Dynamics UK
|
| Alison Wood | Group Strategic Development Director, BAE Systems
|
If you have any further questions in advance of the oral
hearing please do not hesitate to contact me.
14 November 2007
| 
