Armée Emirati/Union Defence Force (UAE)

Bahrain AS 14

F16E

Citation :

BAE Systems defends jet after UAE deal fails



BAE Systems boss Ian King today defended the Eurofighter Typhoon after talks with the United Arab Emirates over a £6 billion order collapsed last month.

“The aircraft met the UAE’s very exacting capability requirements,” said King. “Relationships between all parties are good, there are no criticisms of the company or our people... It’s not going to disadvantage us.”

Negotiations over a contract for 60 of the fighter jets, which BAE jointly developed, collapsed last month, despite David Cameron’s intervention. However, King argued that the embarrassment would not hurt the Typhoon’s future as there is “no other nation” as demanding as the UAE and “no other aircraft will go beyond what we could offer”. He confirmed though that there was no chance the deal could be resurrected.

Speaking at a briefing on the defence giant’s corporate strategy, King said that there were no contingency plans in place should Scotland vote for independence later this year.

BAE builds complex warships north of the border.

http://www.standard.co.uk

Citation :

there is “no other nation” as demanding as the UAE

combien il a raison

Citation :

  Paris dément avoir piégé des satellites espions vendus aux Émirats  

Le Point.fr - Publié le  24/01/2014 à 08:35 - Modifié le  24/01/2014 à 10:57

La France aurait-elle remis aux Américains des clés d'accès clandestines à ses satellites espions ? C'est (beaucoup) plus compliqué que ça...

Sur fond de scandale portant sur l'espionnage planétaire de la NSA, l'affaire a fait le tour du petit monde spécialisé dans le renseignement. Le 6 janvier dernier, l'hebdomadaire spécialisé américain Defense News écrivait que le contrat de 800 millions d'euros portant sur la vente de deux satellites-espions français aux Émirats arabes unis (Contrat Falcon Eye) par l'industriel Astrium, devenu depuis Airbus Defense & Space, est "plombé". Citant une source aux Émirats, l'hebdomadaire écrivait que les satellites français qui doivent être livrés en 2018 contiennent "deux composants spécifiques fournis par les États-Unis, procurant à ce pays un accès clandestin (backdoor) aux données transmises à la station-sol". L'article ajoute que des spécialistes chinois et russes se seraient mis sur les rangs pour remplacer les dispositifs américains contestés. Regardons cela de plus près.

ITAR-free ?

Première observation : les satellites comportent bien des composants américains considérés comme sensibles par Washington. À savoir que les États-Unis ne livrent ces éléments à des étrangers qu'à la condition que des clauses techniques précises soient respectées. Ces composants sont appelés ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations), du nom de la loi américaine qui en définit les règles d'exportation. Et les négociations en cours pour que la vente puisse se faire se déroulent non avec les industriels installant leurs équipements sur les matériels qu'ils vendent, mais bien avec le client final. Donc les Émirats arabes unis. Les Français auraient pu vendre des engins dits "ITAR-free", mais ils ne l'ont pas fait, sans doute à la demande du client. Nous écrivons "sans doute", car personne - ni dans l'industrie, ni à la défense - ne s'exprime sur ce point. Pas davantage que sur les autres, d'ailleurs... Il est très vraisemblable que les composants concernés portent sur le cryptage des transmissions des images dans l'espace et à terre, ainsi que sur le positionnement. Ce dernier repose sur des terminaux GPS américains, mais aussi sur des systèmes de recalage stellaires purement nationaux et tout aussi précis. C'est sûrement un hasard si Airbus Defense & Space est justement - ces jours-ci très précisément - à la recherche en urgence d'experts de cette spécialité stratégique bien de chez nous.

Modèle numérique de terrain

Deuxième observation : les satellites français Falcon Eye - une version "export" des engins nationaux Pléiades - sont bien sûr destinés à observer la terre, mais pas seulement. L'une de leurs finalités concerne la création de modèles numériques de terrain, ou MNT. Ces derniers ne sont autres que des cartes intégrées notamment dans les ordinateurs d'avions et de missiles, permettant à ces derniers d'atteindre leurs cibles avec une extrême précision à très basse altitude, grâce à leurs radars de "suivi de terrain" comparant le sol et les images stockées dans leur mémoire.


Les Mirage 2000-9 et les missiles Black Shaeen vendus aux Émirats arabes unis dans les années 1990 sont dotés de ces équipements, mais l'armée de l'air locale demeure dépendante de ses fournisseurs français pour disposer des données du ciblage. Lequel concerne essentiellement l'Iran. Or dans cette partie du monde, les armes vendues par les Occidentaux, y compris par les Français, disposent toutes de "clés" interdisant d'observer et a fortiori d'atteindre Israël. Les Américains veillent au grain aujourd'hui comme hier, et les Émiratis sont parfaitement au courant et prêts à jouer le jeu. Ce qui ne les empêche pas de s'être battus bec et ongles ces dernières années pour disposer de satellites "nationaux" qui leur permettront de recueillir et d'exploiter de manière autonome des données stratégiques de première importance.

Les affaires continuent

Signalons enfin que si les Émiratis et les Français demeurent des alliés, la relation client-fournisseur passe par des hauts et des bas. Extrêmement coriaces en affaires, les princes du Golfe avaient plumé les Français dans les années 1990 en leur achetant des chars Leclerc à des conditions qui ont ruiné notre Trésor public. Et ils ont bien l'intention de luxer l'épaule de Dassault à force de lui tordre les deux bras, avant d'acheter des Rafale. Mais dans l'affaire des satellites, jure une source française, les conversations sont apaisées après la signature du contrat de vente en juillet dernier. Le prince héritier d'Abu Dhabi et ministre de la Défense des Émirats, Cheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, est passé par Paris la semaine dernière. Il y a rencontré deux responsables de haut rang : le ministre de la Défense Jean-Yves le Drian, avec qui il discute des contrats à venir. Et le président de la République, avec lequel il a déjeuné à l'Élysée. Selon nos informations, la question du contrat Falcon Eye n'a pas été abordée. Les autres affaires en cours ont en revanche fait l'objet de discussions. Les affaires continuent.  

http://www.lepoint.fr/editos-du-point/jean-guisnel/paris-dement-avoir-vendu-des-satellites-espions-pieges-aux-emirats-24-01-2014-1783847_53.php  

-byebye Rafale si ca aboutit,achat 30 F16 en DCS et support en FMS + upgrade des autres
-WTF is Block61  maybe un plus dessus

DSCA a écrit:

United Arab Emirates - Equipment in Support of a Direct Commercial Sale of F-16 Block 61 Aircraft

WASHINGTON, Jan 24, 2014 – The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress on Jan 23 of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for equipment in support of a Direct Commercial Sale of F-16 Block 61 Aircraft and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $270 million.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has requested a possible sale of equipment in support of its commercial purchase of 30 F-16 Block 61 aircraft and to support the upgrade of its existing F-16 Block 60 aircraft. Major Defense Equipment includes: 40 20mm M61A Guns; and 40 Embedded GPS Inertial Navigation Systems. Also included: Identification Friend or Foe Equipment; Joint Mission Planning System; night vision devices; Cartridge Activated Device/Propellant Activated Devices; Weapons Integration; spare and repair parts; tools and test equipment; personnel training and training equipment; publications and technical documentation; International Engine Management Program-Component Improvement Program; repair and return; aerial refueling support; ferry maintenance and services; site surveys; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated cost is $270 million.

This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by to improve the security of a friendly country that has been, and continues to be, an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East.

The proposed sale will improve the UAE’s capability to meet current and future regional threats. The UAE continues host-nation support of vital U.S. forces stationed at Al Dhafra Air Base; plays a vital role in supporting U.S. regional interests; and has proven to be a valued partner and an active participant in overseas contingency operations.

The sale of additional F-16s to the UAE is consistent with U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives. The UAE will have no difficulty absorbing this additional equipment and support into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of equipment, services, and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin Aeronautics in Ft. Worth, Texas. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this sale will require the assignment of additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to the UAE. The actual number required to support the program will be determined in joint negotiations as the program proceeds through the development, production, and equipment installation phases.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this sale.

This notice of a potential sale is required by law and does not mean the sale has been concluded.

Yakuza a écrit:

-byebye Rafale si ca aboutit,achat 30 F16 en DCS et support en FMS + upgrade des autres
-WTF is Block61  maybe un plus dessus

DSCA a écrit:

United Arab Emirates - Equipment in Support of a Direct Commercial Sale of F-16 Block 61 Aircraft

WASHINGTON, Jan 24, 2014 – The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress on Jan 23 of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for equipment in support of a Direct Commercial Sale of F-16 Block 61 Aircraft and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $270 million.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has requested a possible sale of equipment in support of its commercial purchase of 30 F-16 Block 61 aircraft and to support the upgrade of its existing F-16 Block 60 aircraft.  Major Defense Equipment includes:  40 20mm M61A Guns; and 40 Embedded GPS Inertial Navigation Systems.  Also included:  Identification Friend or Foe Equipment; Joint Mission Planning System; night vision devices; Cartridge Activated Device/Propellant Activated Devices; Weapons Integration; spare and repair parts; tools and test equipment; personnel training and training equipment; publications and technical documentation; International Engine Management Program-Component Improvement Program; repair and return; aerial refueling support; ferry maintenance and services; site surveys; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support.  The estimated cost is $270 million.

This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by to improve the security of a friendly country that has been, and continues to be, an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East.  

The proposed sale will improve the UAE’s capability to meet current and future regional threats.  The UAE continues host-nation support of vital U.S. forces stationed at Al Dhafra Air Base; plays a vital role in supporting U.S. regional interests; and has proven to be a valued partner and an active participant in overseas contingency operations.

The sale of additional F-16s to the UAE is consistent with U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives.  The UAE will have no difficulty absorbing this additional equipment and support into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of equipment, services, and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin Aeronautics in Ft. Worth, Texas.  There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this sale will require the assignment of additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to the UAE.  The actual number required to support the program will be determined in joint negotiations as the program proceeds through the development, production, and equipment installation phases.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this sale.

This notice of a potential sale is required by law and does not mean the sale has been concluded.

Bien fait si il avaient pas fais la connerie avec le satellite il en serait pas là avec le rafale,avec cette connerie je suis même pas sur qu'ils arriveront à leur vendre des vbci   

Je comprends plus rien la..  

Il sagit la d'une 2eme commande de F16 (en dehors de ses 80 E/F)?

Pauvre rafale..  

Citation :

Les EAU commande le F-16E/F «Desert Falcon» !




Abou Dabi, je vous l’avais annoncé en avril 2013, les Emirats Arabes Unis (EAU) ont sélectionnés le Lockheed-Martin F-16E/F «Desert Falcon», soit une seconde tranche de cet appareil. Mais, depuis avril 2013, le dossier n’avait pas bougé. On apprend que les EAU viennent de transmettre une demande d’acquisition pour 30 appareils de ce type, plus une mise à niveau des 79 aéronefs déjà en service, au Congrès américain. On estime le coût de cette acquisition à un peu plus de 5,5 milliards de dollars US.
 
F-16E/F Block 61 : 
 
La première nouveauté concerne un standard spécifique pour les EAU, soit le Block61. Actuellement, ce pays est doté de F-16 Block60. A fortiori, cette nouveauté explique que le dossier a été négocié entre les deux parties durant ces derniers mois, pour arriver à une solution à la carte pour le client.




Les EAU comptent donc mettre à niveau les 79 F-16E/F Block60 au nouveau standard négocié, soit le Block61, en plus de l’acquisition de 30 appareils supplémentaires. Bien que l’information ne soit pour l’instant, pas confirmée, ce standard serait équipé d’un radar AESA. Deux possibilités sont offertes, le Northrop-Grumman «SABR» ou le Raytheon «RACR». Par contre, ce standard va être doté d’un FLIR AN/AAQ-32 de Northrop- Grumman. Le cockpit est entièrement numérique et permet l’usage de lunettes de vision nocturne, l’avionique comprend trois écrans couleurs à cristaux liquides avec capacité d'incrustation dans l'image. Côté motorisation l’avion reprend le Pratt & Whitney F100-229.
 
Question armement : la plage des munitions permet l’usage des Raytheon AIM-9X «Sidewinder» avec viseur de casque Boeing JHMCS, l’AIM-120 AMRAAM pour la portée moyenne. Pour l’attaque au sol, l’avion permet l’emport des bombes GBU-21V1 «JDAM» (Joint Direct Attack Munition) ainsi que l’ensemble des bombes GBU «Enhanced Paveway» à guidage laser.
 
Et le remplacement de Mirage 2000 ?
 
Depuis un certain temps, les Émirats Arabes Unis cherchent à remplacer les 63 Dassault Mirage 2000-9. Loin d’avoir choisi, les EAU ont tous-à-tours refusés les offres de Dassault pour le Rafale, puis celle d’Airbus avec l’Eurofighter «Typhoon II». 
 
Aujourd’hui, Les EAU ne font aucun commentaire sur le sujet, en ce qui concerne l’étude possible d’un choix entre le Rafale, l’Eurofighter et le Super Hornet. 

http://psk.blog.24heures.ch/media/01/02/2140312766.jpg

Citation :

MOSCOW, Feb. 6 (UPI) -- Russian-made 82mm mortars are to be tested and evaluated by the United Arab Emirates following their display at an arms exhibition in Abu Dhabi.
Russian export agency Rosoboronexport said it is making pre-contractual arrangements to deliver the mortars but arrangements and evaluations could take a few years.

The 2B24 and 2B25 mortars are made by the Central Research Institute Burevestnik. The company says they have a range 1.5 times greater than previous Russian 82mm mortars and are lighter in weight, enabling it to be carried by one person.

The B25, designed for use by special forces, is also a stealth weapon -- it fires without making a sound or emitting tell-tale flame or smoke, according to Rostec, the state-owned company that owns Rosoboronexport.

UAE officials first saw the system at the IDEX arms exhibition in Abu Dhabe last year, winning praise from Mohammed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi and deputy supreme commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

Neither Rostec nor Rosoboronexport provided any details on the pre-contractual arrangements being made with the United Arab Emirates.

http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Security-Industry/2014/02/06/UAE-to-evaluate-Russian-made-mortars/UPI-85131391704226/

Citation :

UAE Navy gets sixth Baynunah
 Corvette Class ship

The Baynunah Corvette Class Programme is one of the biggest warship construction programme implemented by the ADSB for the UAE Navy. 


                                                                  
The Abu Dhabi Ship Building Company (ADSB) has delivered Al Hili, the sixth and last of the Baynunah Corvette Class Programme, to the UAE Navy in a grand ceremony attended by Rear Admiral Ibrahim Al Musharrakh, Commander of the UAE Naval Forces, top navy officers and Khaled Al Maraikhi, Chief Operating Officer, ADSB, and Chief of Pakistani Naval Staff Admiral Asif Sandila.
Baynunah Corvettes are a unique class of warship with multi-mission capabilities, including coastal patrol and surveillance, mine detection and avoidance, helicopter operations, as well as anti-air and anti-surface capabilities. In performing these missions, Baynunah will utilise the very latest in weapons and sensor technology.
Al Maraikhi said in his address during the ceremony on Thursday that the Baynunah Corvette Class Programme is one of the biggest warship construction programme implemented by the ADSB for the UAE Navy.
He noted that delivery of Al Hili represents an important, positive step towards self-reliance in military production.
Construction of the ship started on September 27, 2009 and it took to the water on Thursday.
The ships of this class have steel constructed hull and deck, with superstructure fabricated from aluminum. The superstructure arrangement is designed to minimise radar cross-section.
Each of the highly advanced Baynunah Class Corvettes can be deployed for various missions, including coastal patrol and survey, helicopter operations, and peacetime patrols. 
The ship is designed to provide the navies with a multi-role surface vessel capable of sustained operations throughout the GCC region. The vessels are designed to conduct peacetime patrols in their territorial waters and exclusive economic zones, together with surveillance, maritime interdiction, support to other forces, and the protection of coastline and ports.

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/kt-article-display-1.asp?xfile=data/nationgeneral/2014/February/nationgeneral_February53.xml§ion=nationgeneral

UAE Navy Corvette Baynunah

Citation :

Citation :

EAU : Le contrat des satellites espions bien parti

Actualités  Guillaume Belan  13 février, 2014


Vue du satellite Pléiades

Le contrat de près de 800 millions d’euros, signé entre Paris et les Émirats Arabes Unis pour deux satellites espion Falcon Eyes (version export des satellites français Pléiades) a fait couler beaucoup d’encre. En cause, des composants électroniques nécessaires à la fabrication des satellites sont d’origines américaines, car trop chers à produire en France. Et même si ces composants ne sont a priori pas sensibles, ils sont cependant soumis à la régulation ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations), sorte de CIEEMG américaine. Washington aurait-il bloqué l’export de ces composants, remettant le contrat en cause ? C’est ce qui ressorts dans certains articles de presse parus aux États-Unis et en France.

Or, « l’autorisation de l’administration américaine a bien été délivrée aux industriels français » a confirmé une source haut placée au sein du Ministère de la Défense à FOB aujourd’hui, « les obstacles à la finalisation du contrat sont donc levés ».

Rappelons que le Ministre Jean-Yves Le Drian était à l’époque intervenu pour soutenir l’offre française contre celle américaine de Lockheed Martin. La relation de confiance qu’il a su développer avec cheikh Mohamed n’y serait pas pour rien. La livraison par EADS et Thales Alenia Space de ces satellites à très haute résolution doit intervenir pour 2018.

http://forcesoperations.com/2014/02/13/eau-le-contrat-des-satellites-espions-bien-parti/  

R.I.P.   

Citation :

Jet Trainer Crash in UAE Kills 2

ABU DHABI — A military training aircraft crashed during an exercise in the United Arab Emirates on Thursday, killing both pilots, a UAE armed forces statement said.

An investigation has begun into the crash, said the statement carried by WAM state news agency, without specifying where in the desert Gulf state the aircraft came down or the type of aircraft involved.

Another pilot was killed in a similar incident on June 16.

http://www.defensenews.com

je sais qui va en profiter   

defense.gov a écrit:

Raytheon Southeast Asia Systems Co., Andover, Mass., was awarded a $7,287,470 modification (P00004) to firm-fixed-price, foreign military sales contract W31P4Q-12-C-0142 for technical assistance to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Hawk Missile System program. Fiscal 2014 other procurement funds in the amount of $7,287,470 were obligated at the time of the award. Estimated completion date is Feb. 28, 2015. Work will be performed in the UAE. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity.

A330MRTT

F-16E à Séville le 20/02/14

C-130H30

ça simule la prise d'assaut d'une île, c'est un message pour l'Iran...

Citation :

2000e roquette Cirit pour les Emirats Arabes Unis.

http://defense-turque-infos.com/2014/04/30/2000e-roquette-cirit-pour-les-emirats-arabes-unis/

Citation :

TURKEY DELIVERS FIRST HUGE BATCH OF CIRIT MISSILES TO UAE



ABU DHABI — The United Arab Emirates last year chose to purchase anti-aircraft Turkish Cirit missiles and last week Turkish weapons manufacturer Roketsan delivered the first batch of the promised 10,000 missiles to the UAE. The total sum of the deal is $190 million (TL 400 million). One of the leading defense industry companies, Roketsan delivered 2,000 Cirit missiles last week that are able to strike with 100 percent precision. The contract signed between Roketsan and the UAE in 2013 covers the sales of 10,000 Cirit missiles, with 8,000 more to be delivered in the future.

Active laser-guided Cirits are the most effective weapon of Turkish attack helicopter ATAK. The weapon is Turkey's first laser-guided missile with an 8 kilometer-range and is able to strike lightly armored targets on the nose. The United Arab Emirates intends to use the Cirit missiles not only in aircrafts but also in terrain vehicles. Turkey has also made the large-scaled production of long range MIZRAK-U and medium range MIZRAK-O anti-tank missiles.

Developed by ROKETSAN, MIZRAK-U with maximum range of 8 kilometers and minimum range of 500 meters is capable of operating all weather conditions and day/night. MIZRAK-O, with its 4 kilometers maximum range and 200 meters minimum range which can be used in Fire - Forget and Fire - Update modes, with the elasticity provided by its target update capability, offers possibilities to fire in covered position, to fire at targets behind cover, to point precisely and to evaluate the effectiveness of the hit. It can also be used against fixed and moving targets.

http://www.dailysabah.com

Citation :

UAE, France Try To Restart Satellite Deal


DUBAI AND PARIS — The UAE is insisting on technology transfer before restarting negotiations with France to purchase two spy satellites, according to a high level UAE official.

The deal gained international attention in January after Defense News reported that the US $930 million contract signed in July 2013 was in jeopardy after the discovery of US-made components in the system.

This is the first major contract between France and a Gulf Cooperation Council country concerning sensitive intelligence satellite technology.

A UAE source said at the time that the two high-resolution Pleiades-type Falcon Eye military observation satellites contained two specific US-supplied components that provide a back door to the highly secure data transmitted to the ground station, meaning all data could be transmitted to a third, unauthorized party.

Since the announcement of the discovery, French Defense Minister Jean Yves Le Drian has been shuttling between Paris and Abu Dhabi to seal the deal. Le Drian has worked hard to renew close ties with the UAE — seen as a key regional player and a significant export prospect — as the beleaguered French industry needs foreign deals. France has sold little military equipment to the gulf nation since Abu Dhabi bought the Mirage 2000-9 fighter in the 1990s.

The US has since granted an export license for the satellite components, which solved that issue.

Now, UAE defense officials negotiating the contract have requested technology transfer as part of the satellite deal. The level of transfer, however, is yet to be decided, with the UAE attempting to get as much as it can.

According to the UAE official who is close to the negotiations, the UAE Defense Ministry is awaiting France’s decision on technology transfer before resuming negotiations to purchase the satellites.

“Technology transfer is amongst the main points of talks between the UAE and other countries,” the official said.

The UAE source said they are still “waiting for a decision to be taken by the French with regard to the satellite issue, which has been interrogated by the UAE a few months ago due to a predicament in the main component.

“The French defense minister had since paid many shuttle visits to Abu Dhabi and held talks with the senior armed forces officials in this regard,” the source said.

Despite not clarifying the UAE’s position regarding the compromising components at this time, the source said: “The UAE seeks technology transfer and this is a pre-condition for further talks on the satellites deal.”

According to the source, during his last visit to Abu Dhabi in April, Le Drian promised to consult with Paris on the level of technology transfer. “He added that this should be in a gradual basis if accepted,” the source said.

He said that a response is expected before the end of the year

Under the deal, signed July 22 last year, by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed al-Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and deputy supreme commander of the armed forces, and Le Drian, delivery was set for 2018, along with a ground station.

The satellites are provided by prime contractor Airbus Defence and Space and payload-maker Thales Alenia Space, and as part of the deal 20 engineers will be trained to use the new equipment.

A senior French defense official said of the talks with the UAE, “There is not a concern. We have time.”

François Auque, head of Airbus Defence and Space’s Space Systems division, confirmed that the contract has not yet gone into effect and negotiations are ongoing.

“We have received the American export license because there are American components,” Auque told the media on May 14. “Once we received the license, the client wanted to examine a certain number of points with us. We are in a region where one likes to discuss. It is not illogical that it takes time.

“There is not a renegotiation,” Auque said, and declined to give details of the talks.

A spokeswoman for Thales Alenia Space also said the US export license had been delivered, and declined further comment. Thales Alenia Space, which builds the satellite payload, is a joint venture between Thales and Finmeccanica of Italy.

Airbus and Thales Alenia Space teamed up and pitched a package of two satellites and a ground station based on the Pleiades satellite system developed for the French military.

In general, prospective export clients ask for technology transfer to develop local industry, said Luc Viellard, strategic studies and solutions director at consultancy Compagnie Européenne d’Intelligence Stratégique.

“It’s part of a reflex response,” he said.

The level of technology handed over begins with a local assembly, he said. Satellites are sensitive, but Kazakhstan signed up for an assembly center as part of a deal for two satellites under its national space program, Earth Remote Sensing Satellite System.

http://www.defensenews.com