ABSTRACT
Towards the end of the 1960s, the Wilson government’s focus in terms of European military collaboration began to shift from France towards Germany. This chapter examines this shift. It proceeds through an examination of critical negotiations around defence-industrial planning which took place towards the end of the 1960s between the United States, the UK, France and West Germany. Particular focus is laid on questions around German rearmament, the development of a nascent West German aerospace industry, and the severe budgetary problems entailed by maintaining the BAOR. A key outcome of these negotiations was the initiation of the Anglo–German Multi Role Combat Aircraft (Tornado) fighter. The UK also altered its offsetting policy regarding the stationing costs of the BAOR, which in future would be paid for by German purchases of UK military goods. All of this facilitated enhanced Anglo–German collaboration in advanced technology sectors – and further marginalised the increasingly recalcitrant French.
