The French, German and Italian Defence Ministers have signed a cooperation agreement for in-service support of the MU90 lightweight torpedo.

This "users club" allows member countries to share their experiences in the operational, logistical and technical fields. The aim is to reap the economic benefits of cooperative management of maintenance and repair activities (sharing procurement of spare parts, consumable items and special tools).

The partner countries also benefit from technical training and instruction for their civil and military personnel, and the possibility of sharing tests.

An executive agency has also been created, to act as the legal, financial and price-setting authority for the countries with respect to their suppliers.

France, via the French Defence Procurement Agency "General Delegation for Armaments" (DGA), is the first country to take responsibility for this agency, for a six-year period. In addition to its founder members, the club may be opened to other countries purchasing the MU90, a weapon designed and built by DCN International (through DCNS), Thales (through Thales Underwater Systems) and WASS (a FINMECCANICA Company) via the EUROTORP consortium.

About 1,000 MU90 LWT torpedoes have already been ordered by France, Italy, Germany, Denmark, Poland and Australia.

January 2008