Foreign Partnerships Expected for New U.K. Fighter Project.

• Author: Harper, Jon

FARNBOROUGH, England -- The British Defence Ministry's pursuit of a new high-tech fighter jet is expected to create new opportunities for the international defense industrial base in the coming decades. But it's unclear how much of a role the United States will play in the effort.

At the Farnborough International Airshow in July, U.K. Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson announced the publication of a new combat air strategy, and unveiled a concept model for a future "Tempest" fighter.

"Today's news leaves industry, our military, the country and our allies in no doubt that the U.K. will be flying high in the combat air sector as we move into the next generation," he said in a statement.

To advance the project, the United Kingdom has established "Team Tempest," which includes BAE Systems, Leonardo, MDBA, Rolls-Royce and the Royal Air Force rapid capabilities office.

By the end of the year, the group is expected to outline a business case for the new system including high level military requirements. Talks with potential international partners will accelerate, and an initial assessment of international collaboration options will be delivered by the summer of 2019.

Early decisions for capability acquisition will be confirmed by the end of 2020 including partnering approach, cost and delivery schedule. Final investment decisions are to be confirmed by 2025, and the new fighter is expected to achieve initial operating capability by 2035.

Dan Darling, a European military market analyst at Forecast International, said the effort could provide a major shot in the arm for the U.K. industrial base.

"This is definitely a huge project for their aerospace sector and... it's going to involve all their major players," he said. "I kind of view it as sustaining the aerospace sector at a time where there's some uncertainty with Brexit."

But for the next-generation fighter program to be cost effective, it will require international cooperation, he said.

The British Defence Ministry in its air combat strategy noted that effective international partnering and collaboration offers the nation the best opportunity to deliver military capability requirements while managing the price tag.

"Value for money in acquisition is heavily dependent on program volume to offset upfront investment in research and development," the document said. "Our approach to partnering will seek to achieve this, including through exports. The U.K. approach to future partnerships will seek to...