France, Germany to Create Export-Savvy Land Forces Specialist

• France’s state-owned Nexter and Germany’s privately-owned Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) have announced [PDF] their intent to form a joint holding company. If this alliance (the word merger is studiously avoided) is completed as expected next year, the French government will hold 50% of the new entity, though Les Echos reports [in French] that it will also maintain a golden share to preserve strategic interests in ammunition supply. The fact the joint press release is issued from Munich and Versailles only increases the symbolic value of this move.

• French defense minister Le Drian hints that other similar mergers may be in the wings, as France can no longer support military manufacturers dependent on just waning internal demand.