The UK government has announced a £708 million investment to accelerate the development of next-generation combat air technologies, supporting more than 4,500 jobs and strengthening
the country's future military aviation capabilities.
The funding, unveiled at the Farnborough International Airshow, extends an existing contract with BAE Systems to continue work on the UK's Future Combat Air System (FCAS). The programme focuses on technologies including artificial intelligence, advanced software, digital engineering, robotics, additive manufacturing and augmented reality.
The Ministry of Defence said around 600 UK-based companies and academic institutions form the programme's supply chain, with about 90% of the jobs supported by the project located outside London and south-east England.
The latest investment builds on previous work that expanded digital engineering capabilities, developed specialist infrastructure and advanced technologies required for future combat aircraft.
Part of the funding will also contribute to the UK's role in the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), the multinational project to develop a next-generation fighter aircraft alongside international partners.
The programme is being led by BAE Systems, working with Team Tempest partners Leonardo UK, MBDA UK and Rolls-Royce.
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said the investment demonstrated the government's confidence in British industry and skilled workers, adding that it would strengthen the UK's defence capabilities while supporting jobs and economic growth across the country.
Simon Barnes, Group Managing Director at BAE Systems, said the funding would allow Team Tempest partners to continue developing advanced digital engineering and combat air technologies, helping maintain the UK's position in military aviation innovation.
The announcement follows the government's recently published Defence Investment Plan, which pledged £8.6 billion for the Global Combat Air Programme over the next four years.
Since 2018, the UK government has invested more than £5 billion in the Future Combat Air System programme. Photo by Steve Lynes from Sandshurst, United Kingdom, Wikimedia commons.
