Nexter

France, UAE
Paris pulls out all the stops to join MbZ's new networks

Paris is keen to connect with the new central figures of Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan's administration and has been sending officials on networking trips to the UAE to make inroads in Abu Dhabi's political circles and the president's entourage.

The Intelligence Gazette
Mossad attack on Iran, War economy discussed at French National Assembly, Rondot gets a biography, Russian mobilisation, Nippon Foundation head meets the Pope, Russian security council reshuffled

Appointments, reforms and key issues: every Monday, Intelligence Online serves up snippets big and small from the global intelligence community. This week, we visit Tehran, Paris, Rome and Moscow.

Israel/IranMossad satisfied by latest operation against Iran

FranceNational Assembly studies defence group financing

FranceIntelligence veteran Rondot gets a biography

RussiaMobilisation and conscription continue to split the elites

Japan/VaticanNippon Foundation president meets Pope Francis

RussiaNikolai Patrushev's inner circle remodelled

France, Germany, United States
Lobbyist Ron Phillips is back in the game promoting French-German land defence interests in DC

With the US defence budget poised for a sharp increase, particularly in land defence, Franco-German consortium KNDS has rekindled its relationship with Republican Ron Phillips, its historical lobbyist in Washington.

France
France seeks Qatar defence cooperation amid tensions

As strains emerge from criticism and legal action targeting prominent Qataris, France's defence ministry is hoping for a breakthrough in defence cooperation with the Gulf country, which has requested help from a French state armament agency to boost procurement.

France, Pakistan
French foreign trade advisers take tentative steps in Islamabad

In a bid to revive a bilateral relationship that has all but come to a standstill, French business representatives in Pakistan are trying to build a new business channel between both countries. Paris, so far, has not lent the initiative much support.

Saudi Arabia
Mohammed bin Salman hunts Abdullah's military equipment broker

The royal authorities have set their sights on businessman Salah Fustok, the authorising officer for the National Guard's contracts during King Abdullah's reign, and are determined to apprehend him.

France, Ukraine
Ukraine allies pursue arms deliveries to the front while eyeing prize of future reconstruction

While French arms shipments to Ukraine continue, Paris and its allies are already trying to prepare for what comes afterwards: the reconstruction of the country. Business delegations are starting to organise themselves in Kyiv to get ahead of the Chinese offers.

France, Saudi Arabia
DCI aims relaunch in Riyad

French parastatal military training consultancy Défense Conseil International is looking for a new bureau chief in Saudi Arabia to boost the group, namely through special forces training.

Spotlight | France, Ukraine
Misunderstanding between Kyiv and Paris over arms deliveries grows

Intelligence Online was able to sneak into the top secret France-Ukraine armament committee that regularly discusses arms deliveries to Ukraine. Its latest meeting highlights the widening gap between the two parties.

Spotlight | France
Strong push for French arms sales' reform made in new military spending law

France's defence ministry is hoping to introduce sweeping reforms of the laws governing French arms exports as part of a review of the new military spending law wanted by French President Emmanuel Macron. Despite being on the cards for years, these changes have never got past the legal hurdles their implementation involves.

The Corporate Intelligence Village Voice
Bilal Sen, Audere, EuroSatory

Appointments, financial results, new contracts: each week, we report on events both big and small that matter in the global corporate intelligence community. This week, we go to Cologne, London and Copenhagen.

Cologne Turkish ex-cyber police official moves into German corporate intelligence

London Audere recruits new managing director

Copenhagen C. Corner and AC Defence eye French market

Spotlight | Ukraine
Allied tensions mount over supply of weapons to Ukraine

As fighting in the Donbass intensifies, Kyiv is negotiating with the West to obtain heavier weapons. It is especially keen to obtain airborne weaponry, but while the US, followed by most European countries, has started to respond, Paris is reluctant to follow.

Denmark, France
Expanding northern European lobbying group Rud Pedersen tries its hand in the French market

Taking advantage of its rapid expansion in Europe, the Danish firm, which promoted the Rafale in Finland and the Russian-German Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, is looking for new contracts. In France, it is looking to develop its lobbying business.

France, Indonesia
Steinberg Protocol helps French defence industry land contracts in Jakarta

The Indonesian group led by Frenchman Guillaume Catala is well aware of the French component of Jakarta's spending spree on military equipment in the face of China, and its business diplomacy arm, IBP Partners, has positioned itself as the go-to contact for French arms groups in the country.

Australia, France
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.

Spotlight | Saudi Arabia
FN Herstal case puts European spotlight back on business networks during Abdullah era

The corruption conviction handed down to the consulting firm GPT Special Project Management, an Airbus Group subisidiary that works for the Saudi Arabian National Guard, on 28 April, is not the end of the firm's woes.