Latest news with #Claesen
Mint
4 days ago
- Business
- Mint
BAE Sees ‘Phenomenal Pace' on Next Fighter Jet as Rival Sputters
(Bloomberg) -- BAE Systems Plc said it is speeding ahead with the development of its next-generation Tempest fighter jet, as a rival European program is hamstrung by Franco-German squabbling. The British defense company this week unveiled the design of a demonstrator aircraft, and said that it has already begun manufacturing the main structure, wings and tail for that jet at its site in Lancashire. The milestone puts the test aircraft on track to fly within three years, with the final piloted supersonic plane — the first to be developed in the UK in 40 years — to be delivered by 2035, the firm said. 'The pace of this program is absolutely phenomenal,' Herman Claesen, managing director for Future Combat Air Systems at BAE Systems, told reporters on a video call on Tuesday. 'By following the timeline we are following at the moment, we will be one of first companies to be able to offer the sixth-generation capability into the export market.' The US, China and Russia are also developing sixth-generation aircraft, which are likely to include enhanced stealth, sensor and autonomous capabilities as well as the improved ability to coordinate with other aircraft and drones. London-based BAE is one part of the three-party Global Combat Air Programme, which also includes Italy's Leonardo SpA and Japanese partners. Engine maker Rolls-Royce Holdings Plc and missile company MBDA are helping with the development of the demonstrator in coordination with the UK's Ministry of Defence. BAE's optimistic tone and declarations of 'excellent progress' contrast starkly with the rival German-French-Spanish effort. The two main contractors, France's Dassault Aviation SA and Airbus SE, whose defense business is based outside Munich, are bickering over control of FCAS, also known by its French acronym SCAF, which has put the development of the planned successor aircraft to the Eurofighter at risk. The issue has escalated to the point that German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron will seek to quell the squabble at a meeting in Berlin this month. In 2023, Airbus predicted that FCAS will be operational by 2040. When asked about whether it makes sense for Europe to have two competing fighter jet programs, Claesen said GCAP's timelines were much faster at the moment than what they've seen at the Franco-German program, although he was not privy to any details at the rival endeavor. 'We're focused on our program, we're focused on our job, it is up to the governments to decide whether there is enough money in Europe and strategically whether it is important to have two programs or to have one program,' Claesen said. GCAP is being driven by the UK, Italy and Japan. A joint venture to lead the project — recently dubbed Edgewing — has BAE, Leonardo and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co. each owning 33.3%. There has been speculation that other countries could join the project, especially Saudi Arabia, which is a key export market for the Eurofighter Typhoon jet. 'We can make anything happen, but the likelihood is diminishing all the time considering the pace we have on the program,' Claesen said of adding new partners, because doing so would have an impact on timing and costs. GCAP has defined five levels of involvement, ranging from the most basic of ordering the plane off the shelf to manufacturing the aircraft in their own country, he said. 'I am pleased to say there's a bit of a queue forming of various nations who want to talk to the three governments' to be involved with the program, Claesen said. --With assistance from Gerry Doyle. More stories like this are available on
Japan Today
5 days ago
- Business
- Japan Today
Chances of partner joining UK-Italian-Japanese fighter jet project diminishing, BAE executive says
A member of staff stands next to a concept model of the new GCAP (Global Combat Air Programme) 6th generation military jet at the BAE Systems Warton factory in Warton, Britain, July 15, 2025. REUTERS/Phil Noble The likelihood of a new country joining the British, Italian and Japanese project to develop a fighter jet is diminishing, said a BAE Systems executive, amid long-held speculation Saudi Arabia could become a fourth partner. "To be part of the core program today in the same way as Japan, Italy and the UK, because of the pace we've achieved, and where we are today becomes quite challenging now," Herman Claesen, managing director of BAE's Future Combat Air System business told reporters on Tuesday. "The likelihood is diminishing all the time." The British-Italian-Japanese project, called Global Combat Air Program, was announced in 2022 before a joint venture was formally launched in June 2025, with the aim of producing a next-generation stealth aircraft by 2035. Claesen said it was possible for a new partner to join, but it would be a decision for the three governments, and they would need to consider the potential delays that could come from any change to their existing agreement. The advantage of a new partner would be to expand the market for the aircraft, but Claesen said he was confident there would be sufficient demand. "There is, I guess, a bit of a queue forming of various nations who want to talk to the three governments," he said. A rival Franco-German project to build a new fighter jet has made slower progress, plagued by delays and infighting over workshare and intellectual property rights. GCAP is being led by BAE in Britain, Leonardo in Italy and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Japan. Known as Tempest in Britain, a concept model of the aircraft was on display in Warton. BAE said it would be three to four meters longer than the Typhoon military jet and designed to fly a longer range. © Thomson Reuters 2025.
Yomiuri Shimbun
5 days ago
- Business
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Chances of Partner Joining UK-Italian-Japanese Fighter Jet Project Diminishing, BAE Executive Says
WARTON, England, July 15 (Reuters) – The likelihood of a new country joining the British, Italian and Japanese project to develop a fighter jet is diminishing, said a BAE Systems executive, amid long-held speculation Saudi Arabia could become a fourth partner. 'To be part of the core program today in the same way as Japan, Italy and the UK, because of the pace we've achieved, and where we are today becomes quite challenging now,' Herman Claesen, managing director of BAE's Future Combat Air System business told reporters on Tuesday. 'The likelihood is diminishing all the time.' The British-Italian-Japanese project, called Global Combat Air Programme, was announced in 2022 before a joint venture was formally launched in June 2025, with the aim of producing a next-generation stealth aircraft by 2035. Claesen said it was possible for a new partner to join, but it would be a decision for the three governments, and they would need to consider the potential delays that could come from any change to their existing agreement. The advantage of a new partner would be to expand the market for the aircraft, but Claesen said he was confident there would be sufficient demand. 'There is, I guess, a bit of a queue forming of various nations who want to talk to the three governments,' he said. A rival Franco-German project to build a new fighter jet has made slower progress, plagued by delays and infighting over workshare and intellectual property rights. GCAP is being led by BAE in Britain, Leonardo in Italy and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries 7011.T in Japan. Known as Tempest in Britain, a concept model of the aircraft was on display in Warton. BAE said it would be three to four meters (10 to 13 feet) longer than the Typhoon military jet and designed to fly a longer range.
Straits Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Chances of partner joining UK-Italian-Japanese fighter jet project diminishing, BAE executive says
A member of staff stands next to a concept model of the new GCAP (Global Combat Air Programme) 6th generation military jet at the BAE Systems Warton factory in Warton, Britain, July 15, 2025. REUTERS/Phil Noble WARTON, England - The likelihood of a new country joining the British, Italian and Japanese project to develop a fighter jet is diminishing, said a BAE Systems executive, amid long-held speculation Saudi Arabia could become a fourth partner. "To be part of the core programme today in the same way as Japan, Italy and the UK, because of the pace we've achieved, and where we are today becomes quite challenging now," Herman Claesen, managing director of BAE's Future Combat Air System business told reporters on Tuesday. "The likelihood is diminishing all the time." The British-Italian-Japanese project, called Global Combat Air Programme, was announced in 2022 before a joint venture was formally launched in June 2025, with the aim of producing a next-generation stealth aircraft by 2035. Claesen said it was possible for a new partner to join, but it would be a decision for the three governments, and they would need to consider the potential delays that could come from any change to their existing agreement. The advantage of a new partner would be to expand the market for the aircraft, but Claesen said he was confident there would be sufficient demand. "There is, I guess, a bit of a queue forming of various nations who want to talk to the three governments," he said. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Las Vegas Sands' new development part of S'pore's broader, more ambitious transformation: PM Wong Singapore Economic headwinds do not dampen outlook for new Marina Bay development: Las Vegas Sands president Business MAS records net profit of $19.7 billion, fuelled by investment gains Singapore Man charged with attempted murder of woman at Kallang Wave Mall Singapore CDL's long-time director Philip Yeo to depart after boardroom feud Singapore Ex-cleaner jailed over safety lapses linked to guard's death near 1-Altitude rooftop bar Life The Violinist, Singapore's first animated historical film, set for August 2026 release Singapore 'Nobody deserves to be alone': Why Mummy and Acha have fostered over 20 children in the past 22 years A rival Franco-German project to build a new fighter jet has made slower progress, plagued by delays and infighting over workshare and intellectual property rights. GCAP is being led by BAE in Britain, Leonardo in Italy and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Japan. Known as Tempest in Britain, a concept model of the aircraft was on display in Warton. BAE said it would be three to four metres (10 to 13 feet) longer than the Typhoon military jet and designed to fly a longer range. REUTERS
