Naval Group's covey of advisers foiled by a phone call to London

Paris pursues big submarine ambitions in Indo-Pacific 

With tensions rising in the waters around China, a busy year of submarine sales prospection is in store for Naval Group and its defence partners in Jakarta, Manila, Delhi and Brunei.

French parliament mulls over government's capacity for strategic anticipation 

A parliamentary report by French MP Jean-Charles Larsonneur published late last month raises the need for heightened cooperation on strategic anticipation at an inter-ministerial level, and not only within the intelligence services.

Thales still counts on top Democrat Tom Daschle's Pentagon connections 

The French industry giant, which has won a major contract for the Pentagon's communications systems, has The Daschle Group to rely on when it comes to gathering Democratic support in the US.

France, UK, muscle into Seoul's Indo-Pacific plans 

Since South Korea began openly discussing its position in the debate over the Indo-Pacific region's political and strategic architecture, delegations of French and British officials have been pouring into the country in an attempt to wield influence.

Plans to strengthen French intelligence in the Indo-Pacific stalled 

A French parliamentary report calls for both the development of new air and space intelligence capabilities and increased cooperation in this area with France's allies in the Indo-Pacific. But with no change to its capacity and its attention caught up in the Russian offensive in Ukraine, these plans look set to be stunted in the short term.

European Commission hires US's Rhodium to monitor Chinese investments 

The New York firm will keep a database on Chinese direct investments in Europe, following a less than stellar report on the European mechanism to control foreign investment that came into force in October 2020.

• PARIS - Le Floch's arrival helps Risk & Co further accentuate its shift towards cyber.

• LONDON - Thales adviser Lord Nick Houghton questions AUKUS in the House of Lords.

• LONDON - Gilles de Kerchove begins his reconversion at Inter-Mediate. 

Non-proliferation intel keeps brakes on French-Indian nuclear cooperation 

France's growing nuclear production and nuclear-powered submarine prospects with the Indian government are being held in check by current regulations, with the French customs intelligence unit caught between France's ambitions and international non-proliferation treaties.

US defence groups conduct Greek sales offensive in Washington as well as Athens 

US arms manufacturers have applauded the adoption of the new bilateral cooperation agreement adopted by Congress in late December with the backing of the Democrats and lobbyists from the United States's Greek community.

Australian lobbying firm Dragoman visits Paris after derailed Naval Group submarine deal 

The lobbying firm used by Naval Group to save its submarine deal with the Australian government has been prospecting for new business from the French defence industry.

Saab counts on Scott Morrison's former policy adviser to plug submarines to Australia  Free

The Australian navy is considering purchasing transition submersibles ahead of the announced US nuclear submarine delivery. To help convince Canberra take the plunge, the Swedish manufacturer can count on TG Public Affairs, whose principal Brendan Tegg is close to Australian prime minister Scott Morrison.

Vimac Consultancy adds diplomatic touch to TKMS Dutch submarine bid 

Business diplomacy firm Vimac Consultancy helps German shipyard TKMS boost its bid to supply The Hague with four new submarines. It is facing stiff competition from France's Naval Group and the Saab-Damen duo, which also have strong networks in the country.

France's Naval Group looks for new submarine contracts in Indo-Pacific region 

Following the cancellation of its mega 12-submarine contract with Australia on 15 September, France's Naval Group is making a fresh effort to find new contracts in the Indo-Pacific region. The countries offering the best prospects, however, are currently facing short-term budget constraints.

National Security Secretariat execs courted by private sector 

The NSS, created in 2010 to liaise with the prime minister on intelligence policy, is a hotbed for those who want to work for private groups.

Naval Group taps another lobbyist in attempt to allay submarine deal concerns 

David Gazard will be the third lobbyist Naval Group has hired in Australia in less than a year. The company is increasingly touting its use of local firms as a means to reassure the Australian government of progress on the mega submarine contract.

France pushes for more intelligence-sharing in Indo-Pacific 

The updated version of France's Indo-Pacific strategy opts for greater cooperation with India and Australia, as well as with ASEAN countries.

Naval Group hires ex-trade minister as Australia submarine deal stumbles 

Naval Group, which has a contract to deliver twelve submarines to Canberra, recruited Simon Crean last month.

Dragoman's influential advisers wheeled out to save Naval Group's submarine deal 

The Australian and French press have been awash with articles as Naval Group worked to keep its major submarine order afloat. The company is being helped by Dragoman, the lobbying firm founded by former Australi defence minister Robert Hill and whose advisers include former French diplomat Jean-Marie Guéhenno.

Danone's Moroccan branch tries one last throw of financial dice 

The danger signals are everywhere for Centrale Danone, the Moroccan subsidiary of the French dairy giant, which has launched a financial salvage operation. The stakes are high for the parent company, since Morocco is its main African market.

Britain's Atkins unveils plans for Nairobi train station mega-project 

Atkins Global consulting firm has beaten off competitors from Korea and the Arabian Peninsula with its plans for Nairobi's giant new train station, which were unveiled last month with great fanfare.