- Defence Secretary Announces £6.5 Billion Complex Weapons Deal
By Sangeeta Saxena
Farnborough, UK. 22 July 2024. The Farnborough International Airshow 2024 opened, celebrating global aerospace and defense industry resilience and innovation. Showcasing advancements, fostering partnerships, and emphasizing the sector’s role in security, economic growth, and technology, it provides a platform for industry leaders and visionaries to connect and collaborate, focusing on sustainability, digital transformation, and next-generation technologies, marking the start of an exciting new era in aerospace.
It was a glamourous inauguration with the new incumbent of 10, Downing Street, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer addressing the gathering at the inaugural ceremony of the Farnborough International Airshow. Expressing his pleasure at being there as Prime Minister and highlighting the government’s commitment to the aerospace and defense industries, he emphasized the importance of these sectors in a volatile global environment and the UK’s leading role in defense and aerospace manufacturing. Starmer acknowledged recent international engagements, including meetings with NATO and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, underscoring the UK’s strategic position.
The Prime Minister announced the launch of Skills England, chaired by Richard Pennycook, aimed at transforming training and strengthening the relationship between business and the education system. He praised the talent and dedication of apprentices at companies like Airbus and Rolls Royce, emphasizing the need to provide young people with the right opportunities and training within their communities.
Starmer discussed the overreliance on migration for skills, advocating for a coherent skills system that empowers UK workers. He outlined plans for Skills England to work with the Migration Advisory Committee to identify and address skills gaps, provide flexibility in the Growth and Skills Levy, and foster partnerships between government, training providers, unions, and businesses.
The speech emphasized the government’s commitment to national renewal, economic security, and high living standards, calling for a partnership between government and industry to drive growth and innovation. Starmer concluded by highlighting the importance of the aerospace and defense sectors in this mission and officially opened the Airshow, encouraging attendees to make the most of the event.
On the first day of the Farnborough International Air Show, Defence Secretary John Healey highlighted the British defense industry’s economic impact, announcing a £6.5 billion complex weapons partnership and successful trials of a laser weapon from a British Army vehicle. Healey emphasized the importance of replenishing stockpiles for the UK and Ukraine, unveiling a 10-year partnership with MBDA to deliver complex weapons more efficiently and support over 5,500 jobs across various UK regions.
Healey also revealed that scientists and engineers had successfully tested a Raytheon-developed laser weapon, neutralizing targets at the speed of light from over 1km away. This laser weapon, potentially mountable on various armoured vehicles, aims to protect soldiers from aerial threats.
He stressed the significance of a vibrant industrial base for national security and economic growth, committing to continue important partnerships and technological advancements. The partnership with MBDA, signed with Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), will deliver new systems such as the Future Cruise and Anti-Ship Weapon, and invest £500 million in British manufacturing and technologies.
The next phase of the laser weapon trials will involve Army personnel, further evaluating its real-world capabilities. This project showcases the potential of advanced technology in modern warfare, involving a consortium of UK suppliers including Raytheon UK and others.
At the opening of the Farnborough International Airshow, Kevin Craven, ADS CEO and Chair, Farnborough International welcomed attendees, emphasizing the importance of people and connections in supporting the aerospace industry’s future. The speech highlighted the UK’s resilient aerospace sector, which has bounced back from the COVID-19 pandemic and now boasts an aircraft order backlog worth approximately £247 billion. The sector has seen an 8% increase in this backlog compared to the previous year.
The UK’s advanced manufacturing and digital services sectors have significantly contributed to the economy, with their value-added growing by 50% over the past decade to £38.2 billion. These industries provide 427,500 jobs, a one-third increase since 2013, demonstrating their importance to UK prosperity and innovation.
The speaker conveyed a message of partnership, urging collaboration to enhance opportunities, drive technological advancements, and achieve decarbonization goals. They also acknowledged the new government’s commitment to supporting the aerospace sector, with senior ministers present at the event, and mentioned key initiatives like the Industrial Strategy Council and Sustainable Aviation.
The speech concluded with a warm welcome to the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, underscoring the government’s dedication to the UK’s advanced manufacturing sectors.
The Farnborough International Airshow 2024 has opened with a strong emphasis on the resilience and innovation of the global aerospace and defense industry. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer highlighted the UK’s commitment to these sectors, announcing the launch of Skills England to transform training and bolster industry relationships. Defence Secretary John Healey unveiled a significant £6.5 billion complex weapons partnership with MBDA and showcased groundbreaking laser weapon trials, emphasizing the importance of technological advancements for national security. The airshow, celebrated for its role in fostering partnerships and showcasing cutting-edge technology, marks the beginning of an exciting new era for the aerospace industry.
