Frost & Sullivan: Cost Cutting and Rationalisation Will Boost the European Defences Logistics Market

The rapidly growing defence logistics (information systems) market in Europe is driven both by the cost cutting and rationalisation plans of various militaries and by improved web-enabled logistics systems. The greatest challenge for suppliers and integrators of defence logistics information systems is how to provide end users with high quality solutions under acute cost and time constraints.

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (http://www.aerospace.frost.com), European Defence Logistics (Information Systems) Market Assessment, estimates that the market will peak in 2010 to then gradually decrease and enter the maturity stage by 2017.

"The cost cutting and rationalisation plans of various militaries as well as increasing adoption of enhanced web-enabled logistics systems are the key market drivers and will remain the most important catalysts in long-term market development," notes Balaji Srimoolanathan, Program Manager for Aerospace & Defence at Frost & Sullivan.

Several European nations are focusing on diverting limited funds toward expensive arms rather than combat support. To avoid wasteful expenditure by ensuring that the right consignments arrive in the right place at the right time, European militaries are moving towards implementing more efficient logistics information systems. Moreover, there is a desire to rationalise military logistics by moving towards cross-service interoperability.

Web technologies have improved substantially in terms of speed and size capability. Such improved technologies provide an accurate and up-to-date picture of all assets and the supply state of all units at any one time and, thus, reduce wastage in terms of unnecessary spares and the number of personnel required to maintain inventory stockpiles. These factors will significantly impact market prospects.

The biggest challenge for suppliers and integrators will be to provide end users with high quality defence logistics IT solutions under severe cost and time constraints.

"The Armed Forces of various European nations and Israel are in the process of transforming their logistics information systems in an effort to streamline and rationalise their logistics activities," remarks Balaji Srimoolanathan. "The final goal of these nations is to have one comprehensive, integrated defence logistics software solution. In the process of attaining this goal, they are looking to acquire lean and agile, highly deployable, open logistics systems with robust support networks."

The market revenues in each of these countries will peak depending on when individual logistics IT projects would be initiated. For instance, the United Kingdom will initiate its future logistics information systems project in 2010. Other NATO members, including France, Italy and Spain are expected to follow suit and work towards implementing similar systems a few years later.

Nordic governments will work towards integrating their individual logistics systems into one comprehensive system. In the long term, NATO member nations may work towards a comprehensive integrated logistics system as well.

European Defence Logistics (Information Systems) Market Assessment is part of the Defence Growth Partnership Service programme, which also includes research in the following markets: US Logistics and Support Systems Market and, UK Logistics and Support Systems Market. All research included in subscriptions provide detailed market opportunities and industry trends that have been evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants.