European aerospace industry meeting the global challenge

In the committee report on the Commission Communication on the European Aerospace Industry the rapporteur (Mr HOPPENSTEDT, EPP, D) underlines that there is an urgent need for restructuring in this sector. What Europe needs, the rapporteur said, are powerful integrated industrial groupings that will generate substantial synergy effects in fields such as R&D, manufacturing and investment. Thus the Committee in particular welcomes recent moves to transform Airbus Industrie into a single corporate entity and the joint plan of Airbus' owners to work towards the creation of an integrated civil and military aeroplane manufacturer. The Committee points out that such restructuring is crucial if Europe are to remain competitive in this field, especially in view of the cuts in national military aircraft orders since the end of the Cold War. The Committee also welcomes moves by France, Germany, the UK, Spain, Italy and Sweden to act jointly in this field. eg by coordinating specifications for defence equipment, increase R&D co-operation and transfer of knowledge. �