Main headlines from this issue

Switzerland: Armasuisse forced into private sector partnership – multipliers swept away

Armasuisse, the body responsible for managing Switzerland’s offset programmes, has been formally relieved of some of its functions. It will now share responsibility with two trade associations. The guidelines have been revised and multipliers will no longer be awarded.

“France does not Offset!” But French boast is toast as BAE wins order

It’s enough to make a Frenchman choke on his morning croissant. The French government has bought its first piece of military equipment from Britain in decades. The procurement would not have happened without a highly significant amount of industrial participation for French industry.

America’s BIS overrules objection and imposes new reporting requirements for annual offset report to congress

While Santa was climbing down the country’s chimneys on Christmas Eve, America’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) dropped its own gift on the defence industry...

Portugal signals new focus for 2011, stops giving “cabbages”

Portuguese Defence Minister Augusto Santos Silva, who was appointed in October, has announced that from 2011 “the automobile industry - included in the offset package for the purchase of the German submarines, with controversial results - will cease to be included in these processes.”

Chinese / Venezuelan development fund has regional outreach potential for China

China and Venezuela have established a $12bn development fund, with China contributing $8bn in exchange for Venezuelan oil. The fund will also help finance infrastructure projects in Venezuela.