Transatlantic Defence Technological and Industrial Cooperation (TADIC) is an iterative NATO effort: enshrined in the basic principles, transatlantic cooperation has always been at the core of the Alliance. (NIAG TADIC Study here)
More than six decades on and defence industrial cooperation remains critical to NATO capability development. TADIC is a perennial subject; it can be stimulated and improved; it can be made more efficient and effective, streamlined and simplified. The Conference of National Armaments Directors (CNAD), as the NATO senior committee for capability development in the field of armaments recognises the complexity of the subject and, considering the wide spectrum of stakeholders in TADIC, has agreed to systematically address this cooperation.
2011 Under the banner “Smart Defence, Smart TADIC”, the CNAD organised a TADIC Conference at NATO HQ to consider the implications of the new NATO Strategic Concept and the opportunities provided by NATO transformation initiatives for advancing TADIC; to review the developments in reforming export control processes in Europe and the United States, and discuss the resulting implications and opportunities, particularly with regard to multinational programmes supporting NATO capabilities and interoperability; and to review the TADIC issues and considerations from an industrial point of view, particularly in support of NATO programmes and capabilities such as Alliance Ground Surveillance, territorial missile defence, and cyber security.
2012 The Chicago Summit stated: “Maintaining a strong defence industry in Europe and making fullest possible use of the potential of defence industrial cooperation across the Alliance remain an essential condition for delivering the capabilities needed for 2020 and beyond”3. During the late-‐October NATO-‐Industry Day, co-‐organised for the first time by Allied Command Transformation and the NATO International Staff, participants from NATO and industry addressed “Chicago Summit as a game changer”. The entire event, as well as a full breakout session, debated the impact of decisions taken at the summit on the NATO-‐Industry relationship and made recommendations for the future.
Smart Defence, Connected Forces Initiative and capability development in general can succeed only if the transatlantic defence technological and industrial cooperation remain high on NATO agenda. This is an objective we must all strive to achieve. I hope the report that follows in this brochure will provide much food for thought for stakeholders of all description to identify actions by which you can help the Alliance meet this challenging objective.