analysts have suggested that the two companies need the merger in order to save costs, but BAE's Ian King and EADS' Tom Enders said in the editorial Monday that the merger was "a chance, not a necessity" and blasted "myths and misconceptions" about the deal. 

They say "with the necessary political will and support, management determination and proper governance, BAE Systems and EADS can produce a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts." 

EADS is jointly French and German-owned while BAE is based in Britain.

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