United Kingdom, Sweden and Italy have entered into an industrial dialogue aimed at strengthening their collaboration for the development of the future next generation air combat system. Finally good news for our country, for the defense industry and for our aeronautics. Leonardo made the news official through a press release.
In the new trilateral framework, the industries of the nations involved will bring their skills and expertise in the Combat Air sector to collaborate in the research and development of cutting-edge technologies.
The three national industries include the main UK defense companies (BAE Systems, Leonardo UK, Rolls Royce and MBDA UK), Italy (Leonardo Italia, Elettronica, Avio Aero and MBDA Italia) 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, Chief Executive Officer of BAE Systems, he has declared: "International collaboration represents the best way to develop a capable, flexible air combat system and susceptible to further future modernizations. We have made significant progress with Saab and Leonardo in identifying shared goals and skills. From today we can enhance this collaboration to express all the potential of our three nations ".
Alessandro Profumo, Chief Executive Officer of Leonardo, commented: "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, Chief Executive Officer of Saab, he has declared: "Air defense is a key component of Sweden's defense policy, crucial to 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 the leadership of the Swedish government and the UK, as shown in their Memorandum of Understanding of July 2019, and are delighted to deepen our relations with the Italian industry. Our announcement of an initial £ 50 million investment and a new FCAS center in the UK will help strengthen relations with other industry partners and the UK Ministry of Defense. "
The United Kingdom already has several partnerships in place 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. Countermeasures Dispenserchaff and flareThe Swedes are used on British Typhoon fighters and the Saab Giraffe radar is an integral part of the British terrestrial defense system Sky Saber while the 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.
Avio Aero - to GE Aviation Business - Avio Aero is a GE Aviation business that operates in the design, production and maintenance of components and systems for civil and military aeronautics. Over 5.500 employees (4.600 in
Italy) work in Avio Aero in the 7 production sites between Italy, Poland and the Czech Republic. Https://www.avioaero.com/Media-Center
BAE Systems, fit is among the most advanced solutions in the world in the defense, aerospace and security sectors and employs a highly qualified workforce of approximately 87.800 people in over 40 countries. Working with customers and local partners, BAE Systems develops technologies that help protect people and borders and ensure the security of critical infrastructure and information.
Electronics, at the forefront of EW for nearly 70 years, it supplies FFAAs and governments of 30 countries. The company is on board all modern military platforms such as Tornado, Eurofighter Typhoon, NH-90, PPA, Horizon and FREMM. https://www.elettronicagroup.com/
GKN Aerospace Sweden - GKN Aerospace Sweden is the headquarters of the engine business of GKN Aerospace, a global partner and supplier of aerospace technologies with offices in 14 countries and around 17.000 employees. The Swedish branch has a long history of technological developments for engines that guarantee Swedish defense security, availability and cost-effectiveness.
Leonardo is a global leader in high technology, is among the top ten companies in the world in Aerospace, Defense, Security and is the main Italian industrial reality. Organized into five business divisions, Leonardo has a significant industrial presence in Italy, the United Kingdom, Poland and the United States where it operates through subsidiaries such as Leonardo DRS (defense electronics), joint ventures and partnerships: ATR, MBDA, Telespazio, Thales Alenia Space and Avio. www.leonardocompany.com
MBDA - MBDA is the only European group capable of designing and manufacturing missiles and missile systems to meet the most varied operational needs, present and future, for all the armed forces.
Rolls-Royce Holdings plc - Rolls-Royce is a pioneer of cutting-edge technologies that offer safe and competitive solutions to meet the planet's energy needs. Rolls-Royce has customers in over 150 countries, including over 400 airlines and leased customers, 160 military forces and over 5.000 customers in the energy and nuclear sectors.
Saab - Saab serves the global market with world-leading military defense and civil security products, services and solutions. Saab has factories and employees on all continents of the world. Through an innovative and collaborative approach, Saab develops, adopts and improves new technologies to meet the diverse needs of customers.