- Contract awarded to continue development of advanced air
combat technology for UK Armed Forces.
- More than 4,500 workers across the UK will
develop cutting-edge defence technologies, including
artificial intelligence and advanced software.
- A nationwide supply chain of around 600 British-based
companies will benefit from the contract extension,
which was announced as part of the Farnborough International
Airshow.
Thousands of British workers will accelerate development of
advanced technologies for use by the Royal Air Force, following a
£708 million investment announced today.
The contract extends the existing programme with BAE Systems,
accelerating development of the advanced technologies needed for
the UK's Future Combat Air System (FCAS). That technology
includes pioneering dual-use capabilities, from first-in-the-UK
digital engineering to artificial intelligence, and advanced
manufacturing capabilities, such as augmented reality, additive
manufacturing, and robotics.
The previous phase of investment
delivered significant progress across the UK's future
combat air capability, including the expansion of digital
engineering capabilities, development of critical physical
infrastructure, and maturation of advanced
technologies required for future combat air
systems.
In part, today's contract will provide vital UK national
infrastructure and technology as a critical contribution to the
Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), as well as supporting the
UK's wider future combat air system.
The work will be led by BAE Systems, alongside Team Tempest
partners Leonardo UK, MBDA UK and Rolls-Royce, with approximately
90% of the jobs based outside of London and the south-east.
Around 600 companies and academic institutions across the UK form
the programme's supply chain, supporting thousands of skilled
jobs and making defence an engine for growth.
Defence Secretary, MP said:
"This is a clear vote of confidence in British industry, and the
thousands of highly skilled workers who are helping to keep our
country safe.
"This investment in advanced combat air technology for the UK
Armed Forces will strengthen our defence and deterrence and shows
our clear commitment to backing British workers with our defence
investment, creating jobs and supporting communities across the
UK."
Simon Barnes, BAE Systems Group Managing
Director said:
The Future Combat Air System (FCAS)
programme represents the UK's ambition to shape the
future of combat air and secure a leading role in the
technologies, skills and capabilities that will define air power
for decades to come. This additional investment will
enable us, as Team Tempest partners, to continue pushing the
boundaries of digital engineering, advanced systems and
next-generation combat air technologies, helping sustain the UK's
position at the forefront of combat air innovation.
The announcement follows the recently published Defence
Investment Plan which confirmed that the UK would
invest £8.6 billion into GCAP over the next four
years.
Since 2018, the UK Government has invested more than £5 billion
across the FCAS programme.
