Main headlines from this issue

EC attacks Greece for breach of procurement rules over 35 percent offset

The European Commission has determined that Greece is in breach of EU public procurement rules and says it must shelve a 35 percent direct offset requirement. The demand relates to the award of a €22m contract for submarine battery kits.

U.S.- China Commission calls for Congress to investigate China’s aviation offsets

The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission recommends that Congress urge the administration to investigate whether Beijing’s policies for developing its aviation industry conflict with China’s WTO commitments.....

Bulgaria collaborating with Blenheim on an offset fund

Blenheim Capital Partners is in discussions with Bulgaria’s Ministry of Economy and Energy over the possibility of a €50m SME offset fund.

Two institutions call for India to get a grip on its offset policy

Ernst & Young, in a November Indian defence newsletter, sees the limited duration for banked offset credits as a possible deterrence to banking, and backs calls for a longer qualification period. Banked credits currently expire after 30 months.

Poland tells fighter contenders to invest in struggling companies

Dariusz Bogdan, Poland’s Deputy Minister of Economy, has declared that offsets arising from the upcoming tender for sixteen new fighter trainer aircraft will have to target both struggling companies and thriving military aviation firms.