WASHINGTON The Pentagon has pushed back by 2 years the earliest date it would deploy a National Missile Defense system and it has restructured its approach to building theater missile defenses to create competition between the Army and Navy programs.

PARIS British Aerospace’s decision to merge with GEC Marconi has eased France’s fears that its industry would be marginalized in the European consolidation race. BAe’s initiative to opt for an “Anglo-British” consolidation deal, as talks with DaimlerChrysler Aerospace (DASA) stalled, offers French companies greater room to maneuver.

NEW YORK The four largest U.S. military contractors expect to face a tougher competitor globally after British Aerospace acquires the Marconi defense unit of General Electric Co. PLC. Some industry observers think British Aerospace also may be able to expand its beachhead in the U.S. market because of Marconi’s purchase of a North American family of defense suppliers in recent years.