Pity the Europeans.
They appear to be so far behind with the acceptance of GPS, it is a real shame.
One wonders just when they will get their own system up and running.
Don't hold your breath.
You're kidding right?!?!
The problem is GPS/Navstar is controled by USAF/DoD... and OK lets say the Europeans are for pity... Are the North Koreans also for pity? China? Russia? Have you heard about selective availability (SA)?
Galileo will be civil controled, and China has part of the cost (some 100s M$), at the same time they have a local system on their own.
Can you imagine using GPS around the world for CAT-X landings and DoD shutting it down (SA) for parts of the world cuase DoD doesn't like the foreign policy there?
Sometimes its about independence my friend and not money.
It's like energy... what's wrong with arab's oil and you are shifting to biofuels in the states? Is it only cost/carbon emissions? or energy independence from unstable partners??... (and votes from farmes becoming oil-producers
)