Ariane 6 Nears Completion, But Upgrades Loom Written 16 August 2018

Space News (Subscription Publication) reports that although Arianespace’s new Ariane 6 rocket is nearing completion, the company’s “competitive landscape isn’t getting any easier” due to new rockets being developed in the US by Blue Origin and United Launch Alliance, and abroad by Russia, India, Japan, and China. In the “midst of these changes,” the ESA is pushing European industry to “continue innovating and finding efficiencies even after Vega C’s introduction in 2019 and Ariane 6’s debut in 2020.” ESA Director of Space Transportation Daniel Neuenschwander plans to bring “multiple proposals to ESA’s next ministerial council, scheduled for the end of 2019, to reinforce the cost-reduction mindset.” One proposal will relate to Ariane 6 and Vega C upper-stage cost, while another will address reusability. According to Neuenschwander, “We are looking at cost reduction in all dimensions … cost reduction through reusability is also a focus area for me to be brought to the next ministerial.” 
More Info (Space News)