UK AND FRANCE MOVE TO NEXT PHASE OF JOINT UCAS DEVELOPMENT

Computer generated image of a concept Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAS) Defence cooperation between the UK and France has been strengthened following agreements signed at the Farnborough Air Show today. Philip Hammond and Jean-Yves Le Drian agreed to bolster cooperation relating to the acquisition and support of military equipment for both the UK and French Armed Forces. The agreement follows on from the communiqué that was signed by Prime Minister David Cameron and French President Francois Hollande at RAF Brize Norton in January, which set out plans for closer ties between the two countries. As part of the deal signed today, the UK and France agreed a £120m Feasibility Phase with six industry partners for the joint development of Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle concepts and technologies. They also signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the SCALP/Stormshadow programme with MBDA that continues our cooperation on this important cruise missile capability.

ByGeorge Allison The joint project will develop two full-scale and operational unmanned combat aircraft demonstrators by 2025. Minister for Defence Procurement Harriett Baldwin and her French counterpart Laurent Collet-Billon signed an agreement to enable the next phase of the UCAS programme to begin.   According to a press release: “This means that the three UK… Continue reading UK AND FRANCE MOVE TO NEXT PHASE OF JOINT UCAS DEVELOPMENT