Euro defense companies warn against program cuts

[unhappycamper]

Euro defense companies warn against program cuts
By FRANK JORDANS, Associated Press Writer Frank Jordans, Associated Press Writer – Fri Oct 8, 9:10 am ET

MONTREUX, Switzerland – Leading European defense companies warned Friday that cuts to military programs could cause long-term harm to the industry's research and development capabilities, even as they looked beyond the continent for new business to make up anticipated shortfalls.

Multinational programs such as the Eurofighter jet and Airbus A400M military transport plane were essential to preserving future R&D capacity, said Domingo Urena-Raso, chief executive of Airbus Military and president of European defense industry group ASD.

"It's not the moment to destroy all these things," he told reporters on the sidelines of an industry meeting in Montreux, Switzerland.

Governments across Europe have indicated that austerity budgets won't spare the continent's defense spending, prompting alarm in a sector long used to strong state support.

In Brussels on Friday, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen warned that too many cuts would eventually undermine security.

[marmar]

1. Is there a bigger collection of whiny global Welfare Queens than defense contractors?

:nopity:

[unhappycamper]

3. Sorry, I dont' think so.

[madmax]

2. R & D my ass

Yada, yada. R&D is the bullshit excuse the corporate whores use to keep health care beyond our means and you see where that got us. Bullocks.

Find another way, damnit. FOCUS.