Europe is facing major decisions when it comes to its next generation combat aircraft strategy. Although types such as the Dassault Rafale, the Eurofighter Typhoon, and the Lockheed Martin F-35 will be playing a vital role into the second half of the century, decisions will have to be made soon about how prepared nations are to retain an independent defense manufacturing capability as part of a pan European collaboration, or whether to rely on off the shelf transatlantic solutions that may come with some industrial offset. Recent years have seen the UK, now with Italy and Sweden, initiate the Tempest project, while France and Germany have chosen to pursue their own course. With Brexit an additional factor, is a combined industrial effort between Europe’s major defence players the most likely outcome?
Moderated by: Craig Hoyle