£1.54m Future Combat Air System project announced

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon and Prime Minister David Cameron visited Amiens in France where they gave their support to the launch of a new £1.54 billion project to build the Future Combat Air System (FCAS).

The programme will focus on constructing the next generation of unmanned aircraft and builds on the £120 million joint feasibility study undertaken after the last UK France Summit in 2014. The FCAS project will give the UK and France the most advanced vehicle of its kind in Europe and will secure high end engineering jobs and expertise in both countries and full scale development of prototypes starting in 2017.

During the summit, Fallon also secured agreement from France to consider purchasing Brimstone missiles for its next version of the Tiger Combat helicopter. Another agreement involved committing one UK strategic airlift flight per month to support French forces in their operations against terrorists in Africa.

The 49kg rocket-propelled Brimstone ground attack missile is currently used in Iraq and Syria and offers a valuable upgrade to the French arsenal. The weapon is unrivalled in its precision and ability to inflict minimal collateral damage.

Fallon said: “Brimstone missile would be a significant option for the upgrade of their Tiger attack helicopters. The sale of this British made precision weapon would deliver investment in the UK economy and help protect both our shared interests around the world.”