Airbus expects the new British government to bring defense cooperation opportunities with European countries, particularly those involved in two major projects on future combat aircraft.
The Labour Party won the U.K. national elections on July 4, ending 14 years of a Conservative-led government. According to the ruling party, London will seek a new security treaty with the EU, which the United Kingdom left in 2020, to renew the country’s ties with the union and its member states.
British Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard said the plan also includes negotiating a new bilateral defense agreement with Germany.
Airbus is involved in the Future Combat Air System of Germany, France and Spain. According to Michael Schoellhorn, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space, he sees connecting points between the FCAS and the U.K., Italy and Japan’s Global Combat Air Program, which has BAE Systems and Leonardo as industry partners.
Schoellhorn said the cooperation could focus on weapons or collaborative combat features such as connectivity or autonomous systems, noting that Airbus, BAE Systems and Leonardo are among the shareholders of European missile manufacturer MBDA.