The United Kingdom, Sweden and Italy have launched an industrial dialogue aimed at strengthening their collaboration for the development of the future next generation air combat system.
In the new trilateral framework, the industries of the nations involved will bring their skills and competences to the sector combat air to collaborate in the research and development of cutting-edge technologies.
The three national industries include the main defense companies of the United Kingdom (BAE Systems, Leonardo UK, Rolls Royce and MBDA UK), Italy (Leonardo Italy, Electronics, Avio Aero and MBDA Italy) and Sweden (Saab and GKN Aerospace Sweden).
Today's announcement builds on the bilateral dialogues already started between the industries of the United Kingdom, Sweden and Italy, giving rise, today to suffer, to a real trilateral industrial working group. The companies will jointly evaluate the initiatives to be undertaken for the development of future air combat capabilities by exploiting the know-how, skills and technological developments of the existing and future air defense systems.
Today's agreement is a step forward on the path towards the agreement between the national industries for the formalization of areas of joint collaboration on the development of the future air combat system.
As part of a highly successful international sector such as air defense, these companies employ tens of thousands of people in this field while developing a considerable number of highly skilled jobs through their armature, also supporting national security and economic prosperity in the United Kingdom, Sweden and Italy.
Charles Woodburn, CEO of BAE Systems, said: “International collaboration represents the best way to develop a capable, flexible and capable air combat system capable of further modernization in the future. We have made significant progress with Saab and Leonardo in identifying shared objectives and skills. From today we can enhance this collaboration to express the full potential of our three nations ".
Alessandro Profumo, Leonardo's CEO, said: “The industries involved are fully aware of participating in a historical passage. Tempest will in fact be the basis of a common transnational defense system that will extend well beyond the area defense. It will guarantee enormous economic benefits and significant industrial and technological progress for Italy and for our partners. We are convinced that starting this initiative in the right way will allow the aerospace and defense industries of the three countries to thrive for generations ".
Michael Johansson, CEO of Saab, said: "Air defense is a key component of Sweden's defense policy, fundamental for national security. This is why Saab is following a path aimed at remaining at the forefront in the development of a system of systems and advanced technologies in Combat Air. We welcome We welcome the leadership of the Swedish and UK government, as shown in their July 2019 Memorandum of Understanding, and we are delighted to deepen our relationship with the Italian industry. Our announcement of an initial investment of £ 50 million and a new FCAS center in the UK will help strengthen relationships with other industrial partners and the British Ministry of Defense. "
The UK already has several collaborations with Sweden and Italy. The industries and the Armed Forces of the three countries are partners in the development and operations related to the Meteor air-to-air missile that equips the Gripen, the Eurofighter Typhoon and the F-35. Swedish 'chaff and flare' countermeasure dispensers are used on British Typhoon fighters and Saab's Giraffe radar is an integral part of the British terrestrial defense system Sky Saber while Swedish Gripen fighters are equipped with radars designed and built by Leonardo. In addition, both the Royal Air Force and the Italian Air Force use Eurofighter Typhoon and F-35 fighter fleets, as part of a collaboration of over 50 years in the field of air combat systems.
