France: Bilateral relations will be hurt by Airbus pact break

France responded on Friday to Poland’s decision to end talks on an Airbus Group PLN 13.5 billion Caracal helicopter order by postponing a presidential visit and warning that the countries’ bilateral relations will be seriously hurt. President Francois Hollande postponed a planned visit to Poland on October 13 while Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian also canceled his visit. France will review all of its military pacts with Poland, while Airbus may seek breach-of-contract compensation from Poland, according to French defense ministry advisors. “We closed the talks because, even though we have been very flexible, we have not been able to secure a satisfying offset deal from the French side,” Deputy Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said on October 5. The previous Polish government had signed a preliminary agreement to order 50 helicopters from Airbus last year as part of the country’s plans to boost defense spending.