Tempest is the next-generation combat aircraft that operates using advanced technology to strengthen UK’s position in combat air.
The investment will be made over the next four years to design and deliver the next-generation system to keep UK and allies safe.
Work on the programme will support a sector that annually generates £6bn and employs more than 46,000 people across all four corners of the UK.
The new Defence Industrial and Security Strategy, which was announced on23 March, is expected to boost the sector and the broader defence industry in the UK. The strategy is aimed atensuring that the UK retains a competitive, innovative and world-class defence and security industry.
Defence Minister Jeremy Quin said: “As our recently published Integrated Review underlined, technology and the threats we are facing have moved on. In the intervening decades, the likes of Russia and China have studied our strengths in the air and begun developing the capabilities to not only counter but surpass us.
“If we fail to outmatch these targets and they continue at this pace, we could find ourselves locked out of the skies. The freedom of the air cannot be taken for granted.
“We have launched the next phase of our programme to design and deliver Tempest and I am proud to say that, over the next four years, we will invest more than £2bn as Government into a world-leading future combat air system to keep us and our allies safe alongside us, leveraging additional investment from our first rate international and industrial partners.”
According to the government, the Tempest elements will connect and connect to help provide a battle-winning combat air system for the rest of the 21st century.
UK is also developing ‘PYRAMID’, an open mission system architecture to ensure software can be updated more rapidlyfor the system.
The Tempest programme is now targeting the Initial Operating Capability from 2035 and is expected to replace Typhoon as it reaches the end of its service life.
