UK and Italy to partner on Tempest

Italy will work with the UK on its Tempest military jet project as part of a major agreement to deepen the countries’ air combat relationship, it was announced today.

It is a major boost to the sixth generation fighter jet project and follows Sweden’s July announcement that it will also work with Britain on future combat air programmes.

BAE Systems, with operations at Warton and Samlesbury in Lancashire, is playing a key role in ‘Team Tempest’ which is looking to develop the fighter aircraft.

The defence giant joined Leonardo UK, Rolls Royce and MBDA UK, together with key Italian industry players Leonardo Italy, Elettronica, Avio Aero and MBDA Italy, in signing today’s Statement of Intent (SOI).