European multilateral defence procurement refers to the collective armaments purchasing policies of European nations. Traditionally European countries have either developed their own weapon systems or bought 'off the shelf' systems usually NATO-sponsored from the United States or from the Soviet Union, now from Russia. Furthermore, identical projects in differing countries were recognised as a waste of resources. Likewise they hope to establish a profitable export competing the American one. The European Defence Agency was established in 2004 to create a stronger European market for military equipment. History The Eurofighter Typhoon is the latest in a line of joint aircraft projects between the Western European powers. Previously the United Kingdom, Germany and Italy had cooperated in producing the Panavia Tornado in the 1970s, and the UK and France had cooperated in producing the SEPECAT Jaguar. The Eurocopter Tiger is developed by France and Germany and was also bought by Spain. Franco-Italian naval projects include the s and FREMM multipurpose frigates. Industry While European military budgets remain fragmented and massive duplication in research and development exists, the European military industry has made some moves towards consolidation. British Aerospace (BAe) was widely expected to merge with Germany's DASA to form the first major European military-industrial giant. Instead in 1999 BAe merged with another British company, GEC's defence business (Marconi Electronic Systems), to form BAE Systems. As a result, in 2000, DASA merged with Aerospatiale-Matra to form EADS. In 2001 the formation of MBDA brought together the product portfolios of Aerospatiale Matra Missiles (of EADS), Alenia Marconi Systems missiles, and Matra BAe Dynamics to form Europe's largest missile manufacturer and number two globally after Raytheon. In 2015, the German Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) and French Nexter merged under a joint holding company KMW+Nexter Defense Systems. Both companies are major producers of military land systems. Other major European defence contractors include: Airbus Defence and Space Airbus Helicopters Dassault Aviation Damen Group Diehl Defence Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace Leonardo S.p.A., including the former AgustaWestland Naval Group Navantia Rheinmetall Rolls-Royce Saab Group Safran Thales Group ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems Products Below are some examples of European products and the previously used weapons they may replace. Aircraft and missiles: A400M – replacing C-130 and Franco/German Transall Eurofighter Typhoon – replacing F-4 Phantom II, F-16s, Mirage F-1, Tornado F.3 Eurocopter Tiger – for France, Germany and Spain EH101 and NH90 – largely replacing European helicopters Meteor – replacing AMRAAM as long-range