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France Urges Speedy Expansion of IRIS² Satellite Plan to Strengthen EU Defense
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France is pushing for an accelerated European plan to increase ammunition production, including complex munitions like missiles, to strengthen EU defense capabilities.
According to Defense News on April 2, French Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu will discuss this at a meeting of EU defense ministers in Warsaw this week.
He also aims to urge the European Commission to speed up theIRIS² satellite constellation project , vital for European strategic autonomy. Lecornu emphasized the need for effective, tangible measures to bolster Europe’s defense industry, moving beyond broad pledges to concrete actions.
The EU’s Act in Support of Ammunition Production has proven successful, with the European Commission allocating €500 million to increase ammunition output, leading to a projected production of 2 million artillery shells in 2025, compared to just 230,000 rounds in early 2023.
Lecornu advocates for a new program to include missiles alongside simpler munitions, which could enable missile manufacturer MBDA to set up licensed production in European countries.
Additionally, Lecornu stressed in the Defense Express report, the urgency of advancing the IRIS² project, which is running behind schedule.
The satellite constellation, designed to ensure Europe’s independent communication and surveillance capabilities, is expected to reach full operational status by the early 2030s, pushing the original 2027 deadline further back.
Lecornu also expressed concerns about Europe’s reliance on external solutions like Starlink, emphasizing that time and money must be invested in accelerating IRIS²’s development.
In related news, US President Donald Trump announced an increase in tariffs on April 2, targeting nearly every country globally, with Russia as one of the exceptions.
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