Brussels, 06/10/2003 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has approved under the Merger Regulation a proposed joint venture between the French State-owned SNPE, the Swedish company SAAB and the Finnish company Patria. EURENCO, the joint venture to be established, will combine SME's and Nexplo's respective activities in propellants and explosives. The Commission sees no problems in civilian applications. Eurenco will continue to face competition from a number of European propellant suppliers such as Nobel Sport, UEE, Nitrokemia and Explosia. As regards the military applications, the Commission's examination of the deal showed that the proposed transaction would not materially affect the choice of the Ministries of Defence, who exercise strict control over the production of military products including propellants for military applications.