The sixth Bilateral Armament Committee Talks between Australia and France is scheduled for 21-23 September 2006 in Paris.

The Bilateral Armament Committee (BAC) was formed under the formal government Arrangement entitled Cooperation between Australia and France in the Field of Defence Armament and signed in February 1999. The BAC meets annually alternating between France and Australia and is tasked with identifying ongoing and future cooperation activities between DMO and its French counterpart DGA.

Head Industry Division (HID), Mr Peter Croser, is the Australian co-chair for BAC and while HID’s main focus will be on getting the best outcomes for DMO he will also target future opportunities for Australian Defence Industry in the bilateral relationship.

The Franco-Australian materiel relationship is very sound and DMO has negotiated a number of Technical Arrangements to enhance industry cooperation in key capabilities.

Recent major acquisitions such as the MRH 90 helicopter and the A330 Tanker aircraft provide significant opportunities for Australian defence industry to participate in global supply chains and dialogue with the French DGA provides an avenue to showcase our industry capability on these platforms.