The UK has signed an agreement with Sweden to collaborate on combat air innovation projects.
Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt met with Swedish Defence Defence Minister Peter Hultqvist to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to work together on combat air. The MOU will allow both governments to partner on a development and acquisition programme which will include the development of new projects to meet the nation’s requirements.
The join acquisition programme is the latest in a number of UK-Sweden collaborations including Swedish equipment used in UK Typhoons and Swedish Gripen aircraft equipped with radars made in Edinburgh. Discussions between industries and governments had been ongoing since the publication of the UK’s Combat Air Strategy in July 2018, with common ground identified based on similar future Combat Air requirements, including being optimised for air defence.
Penny Mordaunt said: “The UK and Sweden have an enduring defence relationship, with our two industries sharing a rich history of collaboration in air power.”
“Not only do we share the same commitment to tolerance, freedom and free trade, we also share the same determination to defend those values, including in Afghanistan, Iraq and today as part of the UK’s Joint Expeditionary Force.”
“This agreement further deepens this partnership and sees us look to the future with a bold and shared vision of UK and Swedish air power.”
Peter Hultqvist confirmed both nations hope to remain at the forefront of technology. He stressed the opportunities to put advanced technologies onto Gripen and Typhoon, the world-class combat aircraft currently operated by Sweden and the UK respectively, before inserting these technologies onto a future combat air system.
He emphasised the importance of the industrial base shared by both countries and how it will secure future technology as well as the current Gripen fighter systems. He praised the improvements made through discussions on practical considerations and recognising the strength of both states.
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Gripen Innovation MoU partnerships Penny Mordaunt Sweden Typhoon
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