The final report of EDA’s Precision Guided Ammunition (PGA) Roadmap and Implementation Plan study was presented to the Member States on 29th November 2011.
The report is the result of an analysis of expected future requirements for Precision Engagement and the technological and industrial capabilities in Europe to fulfill them. It provides a number of recommendations aiming at ensuring the availability of adequate and competitive solutions for Precision Guided Ammunition in Europe.
The study recommendations cover areas from an effective way to exchange information to potential critical technologies and industrial skills that may be at risk. The outcomes of the study will be discussed with the EDA Member States and other stakeholders in the months to come to determine which activities can be initiated.
The PGA study was carried out by an Industry Consortium managed by BAE Systems Bofors together with Diehl, Expal, MBDA, Nexter Munitions, OTO Melara, Rheinmetall, SAGEM and Thales (TDA).
Member States, Institutes, Academia and relevant Industries have supported the realisation of the study. The result is a comprehensive Road Map and Implementation Plan of activities needed to support the ammunition related European Defence Technological Industrial Base, to meet identified Military Capability Requirements.
The report clearly shows that activities are needed in the technological area to ensure supply of Precision Guided Ammunition specific components. It also identifies other areas which need attention, such as competencies, methods and facilities for tests and qualification.
Different types of dependency issues are also addressed in the report, covering both dependencies on non-European countries and on other industrial sectors. Dependencies are not limited to technologies or products; it can be skills, (raw) materials or export control legislation.
The follow-up activities will be discussed by the EDA Member States in the first half of 2012.