Europe under extreme duress

[Gatordev]

If you want Europe to handle more of its own defense, this is part of the deal. Of course, they will have to work with each other, which may prove even more difficult than ITAR and the Trump administration. Only time will tell.

You would know better than I, but to me, it seems like the administration part isn't that big of a road block because at the end of the day, if Grum-Mart wants to make money, Trump is inclined (and probably motivated) to help them.

I can completely understand your argument otherwise.

 

[sevenhelmet]

You would know better than I, but to me, it seems like the administration part isn't that big of a road block because at the end of the day, if Grum-Mart wants to make money, Trump is inclined (and probably motivated) to help them.

I can completely understand your argument otherwise.

Grum-Boeing-Mart and Trump can be on the same page all they want, but it won't matter to Europe if they can't own their destiny using equipment they bought from us. It's the same reason everyone got pissed at BMW for making heated seats a subscription feature- we regularly restrict features and capabilities as we see fit, via ITAR and other fences. Does that make sense for our security (and LockMart's bottom line)? Probably, but the customer doesn't like losing agency.

So, in a world where we're clearly signaling "take responsibility for your own defense", Europe wants to fully own the rights to repair and upgrade their gear. It's expensive and takes time, but it decouples them from the USA's FMS bureaucrazy and unpredictable mood swings. Will it work? I don't know, but that seems to be what they're driving toward.