In recent days, the 5o bilateral committee between Italy and Austria, during which the Army Corps General Luciano Portolano, Secretary General of Defense and National Director of Armaments, met his counterpart from the Austrian Republic, Major General Harald Vodosek.
The two delegations had the opportunity to discuss some topics of mutual interest and mutually wished for a more in-depth and effective synergy also in the fields of research and development of new technologies, within the framework of development and research programs financed by Europe.
General Vosodek thanked Segredifesa for the productive and fruitful collaboration and underlined how the Austrian Ministry of Defense looks to Italy as a strategic partner for the development of new capabilities in areas of common interest in the field of cooperation in the field of Defense industry, especially in light of the current international crisis situation.
During the meeting, the 1st steering board of the program Government-to-Government (G2G) cooperation in the helicopter sector, signed between the two countries last January, regarding the light utility helicopter AgustaWestland 169. The Austrians expressed great enthusiasm and full satisfaction with the progress of the program. Chief Inspector General Giuseppe Lupoli, director of Armaereo, confirmed the commitments for the Italian side regarding the regular performance of all the activities in progress. In light of this excellent result, the foundations have been created for the development of further projects to be considered for the future.
In addition to strengthening the relationship of friendship and trust in place, created thanks to the cooperation activities already started, on the morning of May 13, the Segredifesa delegation met the representatives of the major Austrian defense industries at the Austrian Chamber of Commerce, in order to facilitate and stimulate cooperation also between small and medium-sized enterprises. The parties have agreed to meet within the current year with the sector of the Italian national industry.
General Portolano confirmed his maximum support to ensure rapid feedback on the issues and projects dealt with, thanking his counterpart for the great hospitality and inviting General Vosodesk to Rome for the next meeting.
