The European military market, while not nearly the size of the U.S. market, shows steady growth nonetheless.

Industry researchers say they see a combined annual growth rate of some 2.8 percent in the European electronic warfare market over the period of 2004 to 2007. This growth will depend on the introduction of next-generation platforms like the Tigre, Eurofighter, and Saab Gripen. The strongest Western European national markets for growth over the next eight to ten years are the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and Germany.

The unmanned-aerial-vehicle market in Europe is also strong with expected growth to $4.9 billion by 2014, according to market research reports. The UAV programs leading the way are the United Kingdom’s WatchKeeper from Thales and the EuroMALE (short for European Medium-Altitude, Long-Endurance) from EADS (European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company)

This funding means opportunities not only for European companies but also for U.S. suppliers who have had success providing technology solutions for U.S. platforms-companies such as Data Device Corp. in Bohemia, N.Y., SBS Technologies in Albuquerque, N.M., and Wind River Systems in Alameda, Calif. It will also help if these companies can form partnerships with European prime contractors or if they already have operations in the European theater-to ease the headaches that come with import/export regulations in the U.S. and abroad.

In this supplement Senior Editor Ben Ames put together a news section detailing contract activity over the last several months. I wrote about how two U.S. suppliers are providing technology for two different European aircraft platforms.

Finally, Christopher M. Dabrowski, defense analyst at Frost & Sullivan Europe, contributes an in-depth look at Land Systems in Europe.

This supplement, from PennWell, publishers of Military & Aerospace Electronics, is a guideline to important systems and market opportunities in the European defense sector.

John McHale
Executive Editor
Military & Aerospace Electronics