Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08LISBON433
2008-02-20 11:05:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Lisbon
Cable title:
PORTUGAL: RECENT COMMERCIAL SUCCESS STORIES
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHLI #0433 0511105 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 201105Z FEB 08 FM AMEMBASSY LISBON TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6632 INFO RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
UNCLAS LISBON 000433
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE PASS TO DOC/ITA/MAC DON CALVERT
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: BEXP ETRD ECON EINV PO
SUBJECT: PORTUGAL: RECENT COMMERCIAL SUCCESS STORIES
REF: STATE 13169
UNCLAS LISBON 000433
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE PASS TO DOC/ITA/MAC DON CALVERT
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: BEXP ETRD ECON EINV PO
SUBJECT: PORTUGAL: RECENT COMMERCIAL SUCCESS STORIES
REF: STATE 13169
1. Per reftel, post reports the following commercial success
story:
DATE: September 16, 2007
POST/DEPARTMENT OFFICE: FCS, ODC, Pol/Econ
COUNTRY: Portugal
COMPANY: Lockheed Martin MS2 Tactical Systems
COMPANY/HEADQUARTERS (state/zip): MN/55121-2034
ISSUE/PROJECT: In early 2007, Embassy Senior Commercial
Officer (SCO) and Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC) Chief
met with MS2's International Business Development Director,
Michael Meyer, at the Embassy in Lisbon to discuss the
company's bid on a $135 million contract to upgrade the
avionics on five Portuguese Ministry of Defense (MOD) P-3C
maritime patrol aircraft. MS2 had been trying to secure the
contract for years, but problems with GOP defense budget
allocations and holds on federal tenders during the
changeover from the Social Democratic administration to the
Socialist administration in 2005, had kept the proposal in
limbo. In addition, Lockheed had received indications that
their European competitor, CASA EADS of Spain, was exerting
back-channel pressure on the MOD to win the award. Embassy
recommended that MS2 seek formal U.S. advocacy, with a goal
of securing a support letter signed by the Ambassador and
sent directly to the Minister of Defense.
SPECIFIC ACTIONS TAKEN: On April 12, MS2 submitted its
Advocacy Questionnaire through the SCO, who proceeded to
communicate with John Isbell in DOC/BIS, Pat Nugent in the
Advocacy Center, and Donald Calvert in MAC. An Ambassadorial
advocacy support letter was subsequently drafted and
circulated among DOC, DOD, and DOS counterparts in Washington
and DOS and ODC office chiefs in Lisbon. On May 2, the final
version of the letter was signed by the U.S. Ambassador to
Portugal, Alfred Hoffman, Jr., and transmitted to Defense
Minister Severiano Teixeira from the Embassy.
COMMENT: On September 6, 2007, Lockheed was awarded the $135
million contract with the Portuguese MOD for the P-3C
upgrade. Meyer expressed his appreciation to SCO and ODC
Chief for the advocacy assistance provided, noting that the
contract was both a substantive and symbolic victory for
Lockheed in Portugal.
NOTE: This export success is not cleared for public use.
Stephenson
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE PASS TO DOC/ITA/MAC DON CALVERT
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: BEXP ETRD ECON EINV PO
SUBJECT: PORTUGAL: RECENT COMMERCIAL SUCCESS STORIES
REF: STATE 13169
1. Per reftel, post reports the following commercial success
story:
DATE: September 16, 2007
POST/DEPARTMENT OFFICE: FCS, ODC, Pol/Econ
COUNTRY: Portugal
COMPANY: Lockheed Martin MS2 Tactical Systems
COMPANY/HEADQUARTERS (state/zip): MN/55121-2034
ISSUE/PROJECT: In early 2007, Embassy Senior Commercial
Officer (SCO) and Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC) Chief
met with MS2's International Business Development Director,
Michael Meyer, at the Embassy in Lisbon to discuss the
company's bid on a $135 million contract to upgrade the
avionics on five Portuguese Ministry of Defense (MOD) P-3C
maritime patrol aircraft. MS2 had been trying to secure the
contract for years, but problems with GOP defense budget
allocations and holds on federal tenders during the
changeover from the Social Democratic administration to the
Socialist administration in 2005, had kept the proposal in
limbo. In addition, Lockheed had received indications that
their European competitor, CASA EADS of Spain, was exerting
back-channel pressure on the MOD to win the award. Embassy
recommended that MS2 seek formal U.S. advocacy, with a goal
of securing a support letter signed by the Ambassador and
sent directly to the Minister of Defense.
SPECIFIC ACTIONS TAKEN: On April 12, MS2 submitted its
Advocacy Questionnaire through the SCO, who proceeded to
communicate with John Isbell in DOC/BIS, Pat Nugent in the
Advocacy Center, and Donald Calvert in MAC. An Ambassadorial
advocacy support letter was subsequently drafted and
circulated among DOC, DOD, and DOS counterparts in Washington
and DOS and ODC office chiefs in Lisbon. On May 2, the final
version of the letter was signed by the U.S. Ambassador to
Portugal, Alfred Hoffman, Jr., and transmitted to Defense
Minister Severiano Teixeira from the Embassy.
COMMENT: On September 6, 2007, Lockheed was awarded the $135
million contract with the Portuguese MOD for the P-3C
upgrade. Meyer expressed his appreciation to SCO and ODC
Chief for the advocacy assistance provided, noting that the
contract was both a substantive and symbolic victory for
Lockheed in Portugal.
NOTE: This export success is not cleared for public use.
Stephenson