10 IN VIEW
Special report by Ged Henderson
GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP REACHES FOR THE SKY
Thousands of Lancashire defence workers will play a key role in a new global partnership tasked with getting the next generation of combat fighter aircraft into the sky.
It was announced in December that the UK, Italy and Japan had joined forces to create The Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP).
The UK’s work in the project will be undertaken by its existing Team Tempest, a partnership involving BAE Systems, Leonardo UK, MBDA UK, Rolls-Royce and the Ministry of Defence.
It has been working since 2018, tasked with researching, evaluating, and developing a host of next generation future combat air systems capabilities.
Much of that work has taken place at BAE Systems’ Lancashire operations and that is set to continue. The defence giant supports 9,000 jobs through its work at sites in Samlesbury and Warton, home of its ‘factory of the future’ project.
The company estimates that the Tempest project already engages with between 300 and 500 suppliers, a majority of them in the North West.
Across the UK, around 2,500 people are already working on the programme as part of Team
Tempest and wider industry. Team Tempest partners have recruited more than 1,000 apprentices and graduates since its launch.
Charles Woodburn, chief executive of BAE Systems, said: “The launch of the Global Combat Air Programme firmly positions the UK, alongside Japan and Italy, as leaders in the design, development and production of next generation combat air capability.
The supply chain alone will be somewhere around 300 to 500 suppliers in the UK
“With our UK industry partners, we look forward to strengthening our ties with Japanese and Italian industries as we work together to deliver this programme of huge importance to our global defence and security.
“The agreement with Japan and Italy is fundamental to meeting the goals set out in the UK Combat Air Strategy and is set to create and sustain thousands of high value jobs and benefit hundreds of companies across the UK,
contributing to long-term economic prosperity and safeguarding sovereign combat air capability for generations to come.”
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “The security of the United Kingdom, both today and for future generations, will always be of paramount importance to this government. That’s why we need to stay at the cutting-edge of advancements in defence technology – outpacing and out-manoeuvring those who seek to do us harm.
“The international partnership we have announced with Italy and Japan aims to do just that, underlining that the security of the Euro- Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions are indivisible.
“The next generation of combat aircraft we design will protect us and our allies around the world by harnessing the strength of our world- beating defence industry – creating jobs while saving lives.”
In an interview with Lancashire Business View at Farnborough International Air Show last summer, BAE Systems’ chief operating officer Ian Muldowney stressed the importance of the Tempest project.
He said: “The supply chain alone will be somewhere around 300 to 500 suppliers in
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