Britain will invest $2.7 billion to develop a fighter jet called Tempest that could be used with pilots or as a drone.
Defence secretary Gavin Williamson unveiled a life-sized model of the new stealthy warplane at the Farnborough International Airshow as part a multi-billion investment programme.
Williamson said the programme was aimed at ensuring Britain’s continued leadership in fighter technology and control of air space in future wars.
He said Britain remains open to partnering with other countries on the project, with an objective to fly the new jet by 2035.
Williamson said: "Britain post-Brexit is a world-leader in defence airspace and industry. Britain has been a leader in combat air for a century with skills and technology that are the envy of the world. Today we show that we are determined to make sure it stays that way.”
The Tempest fighter jet is under development by “Team Tempest,” a joint operation between the aerospace companies and the Royal Air Force’s Rapid Capability Office under the Future Combat Air Strategy Technology Initiative. The joint venture will include British aerospace companies BAE Systems, Rolls Royce, MBDA UK Ltd and Anglo-Italian firm Leonardo SpA. The new fighter jet will be developed over the next ten years before becoming operational in 2034.
The aircraft is meant to complement Lockheed Martin's new F-35s and eventually replace the ageing Typhoon aircraft, which have been in service since 2003.
—With inputs from Reuters