Italy, Great Britain and Sweden have begun an industrial collaboration aimed at improving "the development of the future next-generation air combat system". Leonardo writes it in a press release, specifying that the project involves the main defense companies of the three countries: for the United Kingdom BAE Systems, Leonardo UK, Rolls Royce and MBDA UK; for Italy Leonardo Italia, Elettronica, Avio Aero and MBDA Italia; and for Sweden Saab and GKN Aerospace Sweden. In the future, agreements will be stipulated "among national industries for the formalization of areas of joint collaboration on the development of the future air combat system".
Secondo Charles Woodburn, managing director of BAE Systems, “international collaboration represents the best way to develop an air combat system capable, flexible and amenable to further future upgrades. We have made major progress with Saab and Leonardo in identifying shared goals and competencies. From today we can exploit this collaboration to express the full potential of our three nations".
Alessandro Profumo, Leonardo's number one, he declared “the industries involved are fully aware that they are participating in an historic transition. In fact, Tempest will be the basis of a common transnational defense system that will extend well beyond air defense. It will guarantee enormous economic benefits and significant industrial and technological advances for Italy and for our partners. We are convinced that starting this initiative in the right way will allow the aerospace and defense industries of the three countries to thrive for generations”.
Finally, Michael Johansson, CEO of Saab, believes that “air defense is a key component of Sweden's defense policy, fundamental to national security. As such, Saab is pursuing a path to stay at the forefront of developing a system of systems and advanced technologies in Combat Air. We welcome the leadership from the Swedish and UK governments, as shown in their July 2019 Memorandum of Understanding, and look forward to deepening our relationship with Italian industry."
