Over 300 industry and Government attendees from across the UK defense supply chain have met for the first opportunity for suppliers to engage with the Government and Team Tempest partners over the future of Combat Air System development in the UK.

TheBAE Systems Tempest is being developed by a consortium known as "Team Tempest," consisting of the UK Ministry of Defence, BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, Leonardo and MBDA, and is intended to enter service from 2035 replacing the Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft in service with the RAF.(Picture source: BAE Systems)

The Tempest programme aims to harness and develop UK capabilities that are critical for ‘Next Generation’ Combat Air capability and to retain the UK’s position as a globally competitive leader through understanding of future concepts, technologies and capabilities.

The event was held to give UK industry the first substantive insight into the work of the Team Tempest partners (BAE Systems, Rolls Royce, Leonardo, and MBDA supported by MoD) and RAF Command. RAF seniors briefed attendees on the intention, scope and timelines of the MoD’s Combat Air Strategy, as well as how Team Tempest and other research and development (R&D) and innovation work fits into the UK’s combat air future. Team Tempest members briefed on their programmes of work, and how synergies are being sought between the programmes to aide the integration of various technologies into a future system.

The briefings received by industry set out an ambitious, but achievable timescale for R&D, innovation work and most importantly culture shift in the coming decade. All presentations spoke to the need to approach the Future Combat Air (FCAS) programme in a vastly different way to previous programmes of such national significance. All elements such as procurement and commercial models, international partnering and joint export strategies, and skills development and retention will require a cultural shift that will take years to implement.

Stuart Andrew MP, Minister for Defence and Procurement said: “The Tempest programme guarantees the UK’s position as a world-leader in air power into the future and is a huge boost for the UK defence sector. Delivering this ambitious vision will see the MoD drawing on the innovation and creativity of the UK defence sector, which already supports over 18,000 highly skilled jobs across the country".