Industry welcomes Prime Minister's announcements at Farnborough International Airshow 2018
Industry welcomed Government measures announced on the first day of the 2018 Farnborough International Airshow, including the launch of the Combat Air Strategy and new support for aerospace innovation and productivity.
Prime Minister Theresa May opened the Airshow and announced investment worth £343m for innovative R&D projects to support development of new technology in the UK, including for cleaner aircraft.
She also announced that a new Aerospace Sector Deal will be created to further support the UK’s status as a world leader in aerospace, and announced the launch of the Combat Air Strategy.
The new strategy saw the announcement of the Team Tempest partnership between Government and industry partners BAE Systems, Leonardo, MBDA and Rolls Royce. The partnership is part of the Future Combat Air System Technology Initiative programme announced in 2015.
The Government has also announced that a new spaceport will be developed in Sutherland, Scotland, while a new £2 million fund is being made available to boost horizontal launch spaceport sites across Britain - such as Newquay, Glasgow Prestwick and Snowdonia.
ADS Chief Executive Paul Everitt said:
“Today the Prime Minister opened the 2018 Farnborough International Airshow with a strong statement of intent on a future combat air strategy and important commitments to an Aerospace Sector Deal.
“These important announcements and greater certainty on Brexit negotiations will provide vital confidence and encourage investment.
“We are set for a busy and exciting week at Farnborough as the global aerospace, defence and space industries are here to do business, build new partnerships and discuss the ideas and technologies for the future of flight.
“This will be the most international show in our history and is the best place for UK and overseas businesses to showcase new capability to the international business, political and military leaders we will welcome through our doors this week.”