Brussels, 19/11/2001 (Agence Europe) - The Defence Ministers of six countries (France, Germany, United Kingdom, Italy, Spain and Sweden) signed on Monday in Brussels, before the opening of the EU Capabilities Improvement Conference, a declaration on cooperation on future capabilities and technologies for combat air systems. With this declaration, they undertake to jointly develop, in the context of the ETAP (European Technology Acquisition Programme) and with the help of the European arms industry, the technologies and capabilities needed in this sector. The ETAP programme covers: combat aircraft (developed from the existing Eurofighter, Gripen and Rafale); - surface to air/air-air unmanned aircraft and unmanned fighter planes; - conventional cruise missiles; - information technology, command, communication and intelligence systems contributing to the interface between the various operational means. The six nations, reporting in summer 2002, will give an initial assessment of the military capabilities needed around 2020. This joint study will identify the systems and the technologies needed to meet these needs. In their declaration, the ministers also call on the European industry to continue investing in this work alongside the governments and to propose innovative solutions founded on cooperation.