Armement et développement durable : comment concilier le ... - IHEDN

45 e session nationale 2009 I CHEArbe thoroughly analysed and recycling of materials maximised. The MoD Action Plan specifiesthat from 2008 onwards all new acquisition programs are to be established and managedaccording to sustainability principles – right from the initial user requirement defined jointlyby the DGA and the armed Forces.Thus the operational profile must promote the one of simulations more environmentallyfriendly materials for training courses since they have a significant contribution to the environmentalimpact of the military systems throughout their life cycles. Industry now has tointegrate those concepts in the development of future systems.The equipments now in service are not left out of the process. All military productsconcerned have to be analysed progressively to optimize their use and remove toxic substancesuch as asbestos, cadmium or chromium and prepare for their future disposal. Inaddition to the REACh regulations forcing the EuroPean industry to declare the substancesimported or produced, Gifas has introduce an approach to identify more dangerous substances.This approach has been expended throughout Europe by ASD which defined a PLSD(Priority declarable Substance List).The listing of these substances has been established for Naval ships and attached totheir ‘Green Passport’. The same thing is to be done by the Land and Air industries. At themoment, the list is to accompany systematically the delivery of newly ordered materials.Gifas is taking an active part in this process encouraging all suppliers to keep a record ofall the components used.However there are still obstacles hindering the process. The armed Forces first of all wantto keep the operational capabilities at a top level, they fear the delays and extra costs of‘clean weapons’. The weapon manufacturers want to remain competitive in a market thathas not valued environmental efforts yet. Finally the impact of sustainable development canbe perceived by purchasing services as extra constraints in an already complex process.This trend however cannot be avoided. As a matter of fact the civilian sector has understoodthis – Snecma & EADS have followed this lead – by carrying out applied research intothe reduction of aircraft fuel consumption, the improvement of production processes and thefinding of substitutes to the materials and substances that may soon be banned. The searchfor substitutes for petroleum based products is essential in the short run to guarantee freeaccess to supplies to reduce our CO 2emissions and maintain interoperability with our allies10