BAE Systems Air’s Post

It's Friday, so it must mean it's 'Phoon Friday again! That went quick, must have been some Reheat involved 😉 This week we feature Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH CEO Giancarlo Mezzanatto, interviewed by Alan Peaford, MBE at the International Paris Air Show 2023 for the FINN (Farnborough International News Network) Eurofighter is without doubt, the most successful European defence programme to date and testament to valuable collaboration between the member nations equating to over 800,000 service hours and rising daily. With exciting ongoing upgrades involving new technology, the Eurofighter Typhoon is expected to be in service at least until 2060. From the maiden flight of Eurofighter Typhoon IPA4, flown by DASA chief test pilot Peter Weger, the aircraft has evolved from initially planned as an air superiority fighter to a battlespace proven swing role platform. Broder Aerospace are a proud BAE Systems Air SC10 approved organisation supporting global requirements. Video shared & credited to FINN (Farnborough International News Network) ADS Group Ltd North West Aerospace Alliance WEAF Team Hellios Information JOSCAR Member #aerospaceengineering #aerospacemanufacturing #defenceindustry #defence #gse #groundsupportequipment

A long-standing RSAF - Royal Saudi Air Force fighter requirement is now being contested by the Dassault Aviation Rafale, the Boeing F-15EX, and the Eurofighter Typhoon. Previously it had been assumed this requirement would be for a new batch of Eurofighter Typhoons, but KSA has been looking at other options following a German ban on exporting the type to Saudi Arabia. Because the Typhoon was developed and built by a quadrinational consortium, consisting of Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK, any partner nation can block an export sale; a 2018 contract for 48 aircraft was delayed by the German refusal to support the proposed sale. That block has now reportedly been lifted. Saudi Arabia had received an initial batch of 72 Typhoons between June 2009 and June 2017, under a UK/Saudi government-to-government agreement. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dduDgg3J #events #wds2024 #airforce#aircraft #typhoon #defenceindustry #aerospaceanddefense

Currently, the United Kingdom's BAE Systems is collaborating with Japan, Spain and Italy to develop a sixth-generation fighter jet known as the "Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP)". The program, initially targeted for completion by 2035, aims to counter the aerial threat posed by China. However, a new dynamic emerged when Saudi Arabia expressed its interest in joining the program, causing Japan to feel uneasy about this development. Japan's reluctance stems from concerns that Saudi Arabia's participation could disrupt the program's target completion date. While the other participating countries have made considerable progress, Japan fears that Saudi Arabia's entry could slow down the project. According to the Financial Times, the program is approximately halfway complete compared to another international co-development initiative involving the UK, Germany, Italy, and Spain—the Eurofighter Typhoon co-development project. However, I believe the primary reason for Japan's hesitation regarding Saudi Arabia's involvement lies in their differing levels of technology within the aerospace field. Apart from financial contributions, Saudi Arabia appears to have little to provide and mainly aims to acquire knowledge. Japan has encountered past instances of 'losing its technologies,' as seen with the Advanced Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) technology and parts consolidation technology. Saudi Arabia's interest has stirred tensions among the existing program members. The UK is open to Saudi Arabia's involvement due to their existing strategic partnership. Since the 1980s, Saudi Arabia has consistently procured defense equipment from the UK. If Saudi Arabia joins GCAP, they are likely to allocate a significant budget and potentially purchase a substantial number of the final product—the Tempest fighter. GCAP combines the UK's Tempest program with Japan's T-X program, which was managed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. Although Japan had previously developed an experimental aircraft called the Mitsubishi X-2 Shinshin, both countries recognized the similarities in their timelines and decided that merging the Tempest and Mitsubishi T-X programs in terms of time and cost would be more advantageous. The integration took place in 2022, followed by Italy and Spain's subsequent participation in the program, as Leonardo became responsible for some of its avionics.

Latest: 'By involving Azerbaijan, Türkiye can potentially share the financial burden of the project, leading to cost savings and economic advantages for both countries,' Goksu Urkan (PhD) sales team lead for government contracting at TEI - TUSAŞ Engine Industries, Inc. tells me. Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) has recently signed a National Combat Aircraft Development Collaboration Protocol with Azerbaijan. The partnership seeks to include Azerbaijan in Türkiye’s domestically developed TF-X Kaan fifth-generation fighter jet programme. The protocol aims to determine the working principles and procedures for collaboration between the partners, including the development activities of the National Combat Aircraft. The new date for the #TFX #KAAN fighter jet has been brought forward by 1-2 years, partially as the result of the collaboration agreement. KAAN fighter production en masse is expected to begin in 2028, two years earlier than previously announced by KAI. Middle East Institute's Jeff Jager told me that the agreement provides Ankara with an initial partner in the fighter programme, which will help prepare the ground to exploit economies of scale and leverage the resources of both states – the same approach can be seen with the UK’s Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) and the Franco-German-Spanish Future Combat Air System (SCAF/FCAS). Under the initiative, Turkey aims to leverage the resources and expertise of Azerbaijan to boost the KAAN project. It also strengthens both Azerbaijan and Türkiye's defence industry through knowledge sharing. Some unconfirmed reporting suggests a handful of other countries are also potentially interested in joining the TF-X Kaan programme. Possible candidates that have been mentioned include Malaysia, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and Kazakhstan, alongside Pakistan. 'Interestingly, Ukraine may also be a partner – [on] engine production – though has not been mentioned as a buyer,' Dr Rich Outzen from the Atlantic Council said. #Türkiye #tfx #kaan

🛩️ 𝗠𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗯𝗮𝘁 𝗔𝗶𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲 (𝗚𝗖𝗔𝗣) 🌍 Saudi Arabia has expressed its interest in joining the UK, Italy, and Japan in their collaborative effort under the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), also known as Tempest. This initiative is set to deliver the next generation of fighter jets and other systems, including drones, by 2035. 🔍 Key Highlights: ➡ The inclusion of Saudi Arabia could mean sharing the significant costs of the programme with one of the world's top defence spenders. ➡ UK companies involved include Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems, Leonardo, and MBDA. ➡ The potential partnership with Saudi Arabia has sparked discussions due to concerns about its human rights record. ➡ The UK is leading the effort to include Saudi Arabia, while Japan has shown reservations. ➡ Saudi Arabia's Defence Minister, Khalid bin Salman, has been vocal about the country's interest in joining Tempest. This move signifies a shift in global defence partnerships and the evolving dynamics of international collaborations. It will be interesting to see how this unfolds and the potential impact on the aerospace and defence industries. 🔗 Read the full article on The Guardian: https://lnkd.in/dm5XR2Y8 #GCAP #Tempest #DefencePartnerships #Aerospace

Brought closer by structural deals and close cooperation on strategic sectors, the three biggest EU powers are closing ranks on defence, maritime and aerospace industrial policy. Among other things, Italy’s Fincantieri and Germany’s TKMS are reportedly close to signing a shipbuilding deal, and Berlin’s interest in the GCAP fighter jet project could bring Paris (and the FCAS) into the fold, too

The Global Combat Air Programme: The First Round of Hard Choices? Simon Chelton and Dr Philip Shetler-Jones "While the Eurofighter Typhoon programme had many successes, and all partners believe in the capability of the final aircraft, there is also a recognition that its entangled processes for determining workshare, which left ultimate decision-making to the politicians, would be unsustainable for meeting GCAP’s 2035 initial operating date. The industry partners from all three countries are believed to have divided into teams focusing on the airframe, the engines and the electronics. BAE Systems, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Leonardo Aircraft in Italy will collaborate on the airframe; Rolls-Royce, IHI Corporation and Avio Aero will work on the engines; and Leonardo UK, Mitsubishi Electric (MELCO), Leonardo Italy and Elettronica will collaborate on the electronics under the ISANKE and ICS programme that was announced at DSEI Japan in March 2023. MBDA, representing the UK and Italy, will share weapons development and integration with MELCO. For a commercial structure of adequate simplicity to be delivered, all these teams probably need to report to a single entity."

Bombardier GlobalEye 6000 The GlobalEye is derived from Bombardier’s Global Express 6000 business #jet. The new GlobalEye’s will be replacing Saab 340 AEW #aircraft & will be designated S106 when in service & adapted for Swedish #defence tasks & international cooperation. The GlobalEye is equipped with an Erieye active antenna synthetic aperture radar mounted on top of the #fuselage. The #radar has a range exceeding 550 kms & is equipped for early warning & control across #air, sea, & land. Besides #Sweden, the GlobalEye is on order & in service with the United Arab Emirates (launch customer). Saab is also pursuing opportunities with Canada, France, NATO, Poland, & South Korea while also promoting a pan-Nordic capability involving Denmark, Finland, Norway, & Sweden. The next potential order for the type could come from South Korea, which should reach a decision later this year or in early 2025. #businessjet’s are awesome! #bizjet #bizav

A Giant Leap for the Saudi Aerospace & Defense Industry: KSA and Lockheed Martin Partner for Local Production! 🇸🇦🇺🇸 Exciting news for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and the global aerospace & defense landscape! KSA General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) and Lockheed Martin have joined forces to manufacture advanced defense systems within the Kingdom. This strategic partnership marks a significant step in achieving Saudi Vision 2030’s ambitious goals. By fostering knowledge transfer and technology collaboration, both parties aim to boost domestic production, create high-skilled jobs and strengthen national security. This agreement follows a series of recent developments showcasing the burgeoning aerospace & defense industry in the KSA. The Kingdom has actively partnered with leading global players like Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and Airbus to establish R&D facilities and manufacturing ventures. Saudi Vision 2030 prioritizes diversifying the economy beyond oil, with aerospace & defense identified as a key growth sector. This KSA-Lockheed Martin agreement is a game-changer, not just for the Kingdom but for the entire region. It signifies a commitment to technological advancement, regional stability, and economic development. Let's celebrate this monumental moment! What are your thoughts on the future of the aerospace & defense industry in the KSA? Share your comments below! #KSA #LockheedMartin #DefenseCooperation #MadeInKSA #Vision2030 #Aerospace&Defense #TechnologyTransfer #JobCreation #NationalSecurity #RegionalStability #EconomicGrowth #FutureIsNow

Saudi Arabia pushes to join fighter jet project with UK, Italy and Japan Request creates tension between partners in landmark three-way combat aircraft programme Saudi Arabia is pushing the UK, Japan and Italy to allow it to become a full partner in the landmark next-generation fighter jet project that the three countries signed in December. The request, confirmed by five senior officials in London, Tokyo and Rome, has already created strains within the tri-national alliance. While the UK and Italy are open to the idea of Saudi membership, Japan is firmly opposed and has made its position clear to the other two. The Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), which seeks to deliver a highly advanced and exportable combat aircraft by 2035, was a significant advance for all three signatories, particularly for Japan which had historically restricted defence exports and never collaborated on a programme of this scale and complexity. Efforts by Saudi Arabia to join #GCAP and expand the programme into a four-nation project have intensified significantly in recent weeks, according to officials in London and Tokyo. These efforts have included a direct request to the government of Japan in July when Prime Minister Fumio Kishida met Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah. The Saudi involvement would also involve a potentially significant financial contribution to a project whose costs are estimated in the tens of billions of dollars, said people briefed on the matter. While talks remained at an early stage, the Saudi proposal could include an offer to contribute engineering expertise at various stages of the project, they said.   #KSA #UK #GlobalCombatAirProgramme #Aircraft #Japan #Italy