They prefer to remain owners of their equipment

Cooperation, cooperation, cooperation. Subject to the burning need to make savings, Paris and London hammer publicly their willingness to boost defence in common projects. The subject should be the dish of resistance of the meeting this morning between Hervé Morin, the French Defence Minister, and Liam Fox, British counterpart. In military matters, "the France is ready to commit to concrete projects, said Nicolas Sarkozy, on 25 August, the ambassadors. I have heard the statements of our British allies on bilateral cooperation with the France. We discuss with them without taboos and take important decisions in November at the forthcoming Franco-British Summit.

The idea makes sense. The first two European armies are very similar: most often converging that divergent strategic interests, budgets and operational capabilities comparable, without forgetting a long common history, even if mutual mistrust has not completely disappeared. Hence the idea to share the funding of weapons programs or bring some units. Tuesday, the very serious "Times" also stated a that Sarkozy and Cameron would announce in November the willingness of both countries to combine their carrier!

Las, the information has been somewhat "moderate" from London. And for good reason: it poses as many problems as it solves really (read below). But, above all, despite the political view, tracks of cooperation still remain very early. "All this remains at a strategic level." "We feel well the willingness of the two countries closer, but nothing really tangible for the moment", confirms in French. "Many ideas circulating, sometimes iconoclastic, sometimes go very far." "But it is still the main principles," said another source close discussions.

Drones, replenishment ships and missiles

In these circumstances, the Morin-Fox this morning meeting risk do not lead to anything. And that the November summit is not a mouse giving birth, it will be necessary that the Elysee Palace and Downing Street impose their views on their respective, naturally inclined to the status quo Governments. The tracks of cooperation still abound. They are even the subject of a review of sheets circulating between the two sides of the channel. A key, significant savings possible. Discussion topics include drones, these aircraft without a pilot very in vogue. Paris is engaged for years in cooperation with Berlin and Madrid, with EADS to industrial operation. But the project, called "Talarion", a lead in the wing, because it is financially out of access. Suddenly, the DGA probe Americans for a possible purchase of Predator, but it has also asked Dassault and BAE to look at what it would be possible to make a cross-channel axis ("Les Echos" from June 10).

Second possible area of cooperation: air-to-air refueling tankers. London has concluded a contract of lease of Airbus A330 for a rare complexity with a consortium including EADS and banks. And Louis Gallois, the Executive Chairman of the European Group, every interest to hang up the French (who were removed indefinitely their program) to the contract. Problem: in Paris, the military is beyond not enthusiasm about this kind of outsourcing... They prefer to remain owners of their equipment.

Finally, another track is actively studied in the field of missiles. The two countries do not zero, leave since the MBDA company already gathers under one roof the bulk of the industrial resources of each country. However, notable replicas remain in the offices of studies or testing centres. A project called "One MBDA", lays the Foundation for a better rationalization of all these human and industrial resources. But, in addition to its social impact, it assumes to see the day that the two capitals accept the principle of mutual dependency in a sector key for their defence. In addition, "one mbda" can identify savings that if the new organization is at the service of missile in cooperation programmes. Two projects are in the cards: a lightweight anti-ship fired by helicopter and renovation to refit of Scalp-Storm Shadow. Remains to be seen there again, if Paris and London are willing to make common cause.