Wes Streeting unveils ‘loyal wingman’ drones in ‘groundbreaking moment’ for defence
Wes Streeting has hailed new British-made ‘stalwart wingman’ drones in what he calls “a groundbreaking moment for UK defence”.
The new defense minister welcomed the new unmanned fighter jet Brontanax, created by UK defense company BAE Systems, on Wednesday.
Designed and built in Lancashire, the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) is operated remotely by a pilot, allowing crewed and uncrewed aircraft to operate as a team.
Often described as “loyal wingmen,” CCAs are designed to fly alongside piloted aircraft and are expected to cost roughly one-third of a conventional fighter jet.
Speaking at the Farnborough air show on Wednesday, Mr Streeting said the drone would be in the skies by 2027.
“We will adopt this as our operational concept demonstrator and launch it in 2027,” he said. “This is a groundbreaking moment for UK defence, not just in terms of air power but also in terms of re-industrialisation.”
BAE Systems said the aircraft was being prepared for ground-based testing at Warton ahead of flight tests in UK airspace.
“The introduction of Brontanax, the UK’s first uncrewed autonomous Collaborative Fighter, is a testament to the extraordinary capability and innovation in our dominant defense industry,” Mr Streeting said. “Built by British engineers at BAE Systems in Warton, with support from British businesses large and small, this aircraft shows that the UK has the capability, technology and determination to lead the world in combat air power.
“We are investing £300 million in our StormFighter program to develop an autonomous fighter jet here in the UK. This launch demonstrates the depth of industrial capacity we have here in Britain to help us achieve our ambition to become Europe’s first sixth-generation air force.”
BAE Systems made the comments as it announced that the Ministry of Defense (MoD) had awarded it a £708 million contract extension to continue developing a next-generation fighter jet under the Global Combat Air Programme.
Richard Berthon, the Ministry of Defence’s director of future combat air, said: “This £708 million investment demonstrates the UK’s commitment to maintaining its world-leading combat air capability and the freedom of action that ensures our armed forces remain equipped to meet future threats.”
The announcement follows the recently published defense investment plan (DIP), which includes a £15 billion boost to defense spending.
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds will also visit the Farnborough Airshow on Wednesday to announce a £600 million package to support British aviation.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham released a video message describing the event, which is usually opened by the prime minister of the day, as a “major event”.
Mr Burnham, who begins his premiership on Monday, the opening day of this year’s show, said: “I know how important this event is, I really do, and I’m so sorry I can’t be with you.”
The Prime Minister said he would “re-industrialise this country” to create the jobs and opportunities “people desperately want to see”.
He continued: “We can’t do this on our own. We’ll do it by working with brilliant businesses like those in Farnborough this week.”
“Combining the civil aerospace and defense sectors will support half a million jobs across the country by 2030, with two-thirds of those jobs currently located outside London and the south-east.
“I have seen firsthand these works and the difference they make. This is a real success story and that’s why we want to go even further.”
