Typhoon export orders take off as UK government unveils new jet

UK Defence Minister Gavin Williamson unveiled a prototype of a new fighter jet named Tempest at the Farnborough Airshow on Monday, the same day as BAE Systems' chief executive Charles Woodburn detailed a promising outlook for the UK's existing Typhoon fighter jet.

Williamson said £2bn had been put aside to finance the project until 2025 but added that Downing Street was on the lookout for international partners to help develop the project and provide additional funding.

The Tempest, which will eventually replace the Typhoon fighter jet, will be developed and built by the UK's industrial partners BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, Leonardo and MBDA.

The Defence Secretary told onlookers at the show that the government was on the hunt for an international partner to help develop the jet.

"Our approach hinges on international collaboration," Williamson said.

He added: "My question to potential partners in the room today is simple, how can you work with us, how can we work with you?"

RAF Air Vice-Marshal Simon Rochelle said Britain was in discussions with a number of potential partner countries, including Sweden and Japan.

Under the plans, the Tempest jet will be operational by 2035, ready to replace the Typhoon fleet, which has been slated for retirement in 2040.

Charles Woodburn, BAE's chief executive, told BBC Radio on Monday that export orders for the Typhoon jet were as good as the had been for "quite some time", with demand principally coming from the Middle East and Europe.

"We have a number of export campaigns in play," said Woodburn.

"I think now the outlook for Typhoon export orders is as good now as it's been for quite some time, both in our very important Middle East customers but also within Europe," he added.

As of 1500 BST, BAE shares had barely got off the ground, climbing 0.54% to 675p.