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MPI is one of the world's leading defence business intelligence organisations, providing an accurate, reliable and timely product to clients in over 120 countries. Our ethos is to use staff who have real experience in journalism and first-hand experience of defence operations. Our policy is not to use advertising in any way to support our business so that we can deliver genuine, impartial and independent advice to our customers.

A400M negotiations go down to the wire

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As this issue of MPI went to press, Airbus, its parent EADS and the seven European customers for the A400M military transport aircraft were on their third day of negotiations to re-finance and re-schedule the program. The A400M program is running more than three years late and a reported Euros 11.2 billion (US$16 billion) over budget. It also has range and payload problems still to be overcome and is currently several tonnes above its specified empty take-off weight...Read full article

MPI News Samples

Israel: Seeking aid for German naval package

On January 18, at a special joint meeting in Berlin of the German and Israeli cabinets, one of the numerous subjects discussed was the potential supply by Germany to the Israeli Navy of a sixth Dolphin class submarine, torpedoes, two 2,200t modified Meko A-100 class corvettes and the means of funding the package.

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Sweden: 81mm mortar ammunition

The Swedish FMV Defence Materiel Administration has issued a notification seeking suitably qualified companies to submit proposals to meet the Swedish Army's pressing requirement for 81mm mortar ammunition. The Army has taken the decision to use the 81mm mortar system as main armament for most manoeuvre battalions.

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France: Up-armoured VABs

The French RTD company has won a EUROS 40 million (US$57.6 million) contract to up-armour and provide protection against Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) for an initial 40 of 120 VAB wheeled Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) in service with the French Army.

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UAE: S. Korean UAVs and Surface-to-Surface Missiles

Following its successful bid to build four nuclear reactors in the UAE, for US$20 billion, South Korean Defence Minister Kim Tae-young has promised to transfer technology to the UAE for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Surface-to-Surface Missiles (SSMs).

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