In an open letter published in Le Monde newspaper, the chief executives of BAE Systems of Britain, Thales of France and the joint French-German-Spanish EADS said the recent restructuring of Europe's defence industries needed to be matched by a streamlining of EU policy-making.

"It is time to move to more coordinated initiatives by rationalising defence investment," the companies said, supporting calls for a European Armaments and Strategic Research Agency which would run "joint programmes of research, development and acquisition."

Their letter was published a day before a defence mini-summit in Brussels bringing together France, Germany, Belgium and Luxembourg, with the creation of a European armaments agency expected to be discussed.

The absence from the meeting of the EU's biggest military power -- Britain -- has raised questions over its credibility.

Pointing out that in military research budgets Europe lags behind the United States by a factor of eight to one -- and by as much as 15 to one in space weapons -- the letter urged a major effort to plug the gap.

"Backed by consistent budgets, substantive European programmes, strong political vision and firm commitments, Europe can preserve a guaranteed security of supply for defence goods and services.

"But we need the determined support of our governments to anticipate and fund the development of future capabilities, for the sake of harmonious, co-operative transatlantic relations in defence and supply," the chief executives said.

The letter was signed by Denis Ranque of Thales, Mike Turner of BAE Systems and Philippe Camus and Rainer Hertrich of EADS.

SPACE.WIRE