CLASH OVER PARLIAMENT’S DEFENSE COMMITTEE: Renew Europe MEP Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, who was the lead candidate in the June EP election for Germany’s ruling-coalition Free Democratic Party (FDP), has had to fight to stay in the running to be the next head of the SEDE subcommittee ahead of today’s vote.
EPP resistance: After Strack-Zimmermann publicly opposed the reelection of the EPP’s Ursula von der Leyen as Commission president, EPP lawmakers opposed her getting the SEDE job. The German liberal then sent them a letter, seen by Nick, requesting a meeting on Monday to “introduce” herself.
But EPP lawmakers weren’t keen.
Belgian Christian Democrat Wouter Beke’s office told our colleague Max Griera Andreu that “we were invited to meet with Strack-Zimmermann. Given this unusual procedure, Mr. Beke will not attend the meeting,” adding there was “no indication” other EPP members intended to go.
Options: Some lawmakers say she will get the SEDE chair, but the EPP has options to derail her candidacy such as floating another candidate, or introducing a motion for today’s vote to take place via secret ballot, which would give cover to other groups to oppose her.
Defense bonds: Strack-Zimmermann’s opposition to von der Leyen has obviously soured her relations with the EPP. But there are also policy differences, as the German liberal is bound by the FDP’s opposition to any new issue of EU debt. Some lawmakers also want more clarity on whether she would support defense bonds if a majority in the Parliament was in favor.
ITRE MAKES MOVE ON EDIP: On Wednesday the industry committee will hear from Timo Pesonen, boss of the Commission’s DG Defis, on the European Defence Industry Programme regulation. That’s a clear indication that ITRE intends to lead on the file.
RAYTHEON’S PATRIOT PLAY: Having NATO bundle demand for air defense systems and interceptors helps Raytheon plan its supply chain better, Thomas Laliberty, the company’s president of land and air defense systems, said at Farnborough on Monday.
“Aggregated demand is a model for success,” Laliberty told Josh during a briefing on the sidelines of the air show, adding that it means “we can identify the work, plan capacity and shorten lead times.”
“Without understanding demand it’s very difficult for us to do planning,” he said.
Getting going: Earlier this year, NATO’s Support and Procurement Agency said it would help Germany, the Netherlands, Romania and Spain source up to 1,000 Patriot interceptor missiles.
Sharing is caring: Laliberty said the initiative also helps dispatch the missiles to the countries that need them, rather than just the one making the order. “Because it’s at the NATO level, NATO can decide on the distribution of the missiles so they go to the highest need.”
Business is good: The Patriot system has 19 customers, with Ukraine the most recent addition and Kyiv repeatedly requesting more of the platforms. “This performance has really prompted a sustained interest in Patriots,” Laliberty said.
Takes time: “It takes us 12 months to build a Patriot radar, but it takes us 24 months to get all the parts,” Laliberty said.
Step by step: Although Germany, Romania and Spain all have fire units on order, the company’s production lines aren’t stretched.
“We can produce one Patriot fire unit a month when the pipeline is full,” Laliberty said. “Even with all the demand … we’re not at full capacity.”
MBDA, UK RENEW ‘COMPLEX WEAPONS’ PARTNERSHIP: The missile maker and the U.K. defense ministry have renewed their partnership for 10 more years via a Portfolio Management Agreement worth at least £6.5 billion.
RUSSIA, UKRAINE MONITOR US ELECTION: Both Kyiv and Moscow are waiting to see what a change at the White House might mean on the battlefield come January, when serving U.S. President Joe Biden steps down and the winning candidate emerging from the November election is sworn in. More here.
Meanwhile, the Czech Republic is set to send 100,000 rounds of ammunition to Ukraine in the next two month under its global purchasing initiative, Jacopo reports here.
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