The MOD will work across Government and closely with
industry and international partners to explore the UK’s
future Combat Air capabilities, building on the Industrial
Strategy and refreshed Defence Industrial Policy launched
last year.
The strategy will examine the operational capability needed
in the future and the skills and resource required to
deliver it. The work will take new and emerging technology
into account, as well as export potential, whilst testing
British industry’s ability to deliver our future
requirements. It is expected to be launched in the summer.
Defence Secretary said:
Since the birth of airpower, British industry has been
crucial to maintaining our military’s world-leading
position. As we celebrate 100 years of the RAF protecting
our skies, it is fitting that we create bold and
ambitious plans to help our brave Armed Forces keep us
safe in the face of intensifying threats. The Combat Air
Strategy will bring together the best of British
engineering, skill and design, and deliver a compelling
vision for the future of air power.
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen
Hillier, said:
It is especially fitting that we launch the Combat Air
Strategy as our Royal Air Force marks its 100th
anniversary. Combat Air capabilities have been at the
heart of the RAF’s capabilities throughout its history,
and are constantly employed on operations across the
world today.
This strategy will ensure that the RAF can continue to
remain at the forefront of the high-end airpower
technology and innovation we need to deal with future
threats, working in close collaboration with UK industry
and our international partners.
The UK is already a world-leader in the air sector which
accounts for 85% of the Britain’s defence export orders.
The industry is made up of close to 2,500 companies,
generating more than £33.5bn in turnover and employing more
than 128,000 people - some 26,000 of them in highly skilled
research, design and engineering jobs.
Investment in combat air technology combined with the
strengths of UK industry has resulted in the UK being the
US’ only Tier 1 partner on the F-35 Lightning II programme,
with British industry building around 15% of every F-35
which is built. The UK has been able exploit the
operational capabilities of the aircraft, while reinforcing
UK industrial capability, skills and wider economic
prosperity.
The UK also continues to lead the way in combat air power
as one of the four partner nations in the Eurofighter
Typhoon programme. With more than 20,000 flying hours on
global operations to date, the Typhoon has offered
unparalleled reliability and proven interoperability with
our allies.
The F-35 Lightning II and the Typhoon are two complimentary
multi-role combat aircraft that will make up the RAF’s
combat air fleet, placing the UK at the forefront of
fighter jet technology - with the Typhoon expected to
remain in UK service until at least 2040.
Just last week the UK led the bid to replace Belgium’s
fighter jets with 34 Typhoons with the offer to include a
comprehensive defence and industrial partnership between
the Governments of Belgium and the UK. The Defence
Secretary was also in Qatar at
the end of last year to oversee Qatar’s multi-billion pound
purchase of 24 Typhoon aircraft, supporting thousands of
jobs across the UK.
The announcement of the strategy comes after an initial
review of the defence aerospace sector by the MOD, which
involved engaging across Government and with industry. The
development of a Combat Air Strategy is consistent with the
themes of the Modernising Defence Programme. It will set
out in practical terms how the MOD can deliver its critical
military capability requirements whilst considering wider
economic and international factors, and our national
security objectives.
