Two new Centres of Excellence for missile technology have been announced by Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon at the Franco-British Council meeting in Paris.
Combining French and British expertise, which further deepens the UK-France defence relationship, the Centres of Excellence will be based at MBDA sites in Stevenage and Bolton.
Developed by Franco-British Company, MBDA, the Cross-Channel Centres of Excellence Strategy will revolutionise missile development, with cutting-edge technology that will also increase efficiency.
The centres are expected to support 400 skilled jobs at the UK sites and builds on recent Franco-British commitments to work more closely. The development hopes to extend the boundaries of traditional interstate co-operation, bringing advantages to countries, such as increasing military capability and promoting competitiveness in exports.
Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said: “To keep Britain strong, it’s vital we develop mutual security through innovation and co-operation. By securing a rising defence budget, working with allies and investing in Centres of Excellence, we can keep Britain at the cutting-edge of technology.
“This Franco-British defence co-operation ensures high-skilled jobs through innovation and will help keep Britain safer and more secure.”
Minister for Defence Procurement Harriett Baldwin added: “The UK and France are the biggest European investors in equipment, and defence projects such as these Centres of Excellence will ensure we work effectively and innovatively with industry to secure the very best deal for the tax payer.
“The UK is investing £178 billion so that our Armed Forces have the equipment they need to keep Britain safe.”
The announcement follows the launch of the next phase of a £117M joint Franco-British Maritime Mine Counter Measures (MMCM) programme, which will develop cutting edge maritime mine warfare capability, keeping the UK and France at the forefront of autonomous systems technology.
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France Harriett Baldwin MBDA Michael Fallon missile MMCM UK
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