UK Under Secretary of Defense Guto Bebb said announced the resumption of work to design and manufacture a stealth combat drone, by 2030. The Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV) project was one of the key elements of the Lancaster agreements, but following the vote on Brexit, it was put on hold. In addition, the British wanted more details about the project for a new generation Franco-German fighter.
The combat drone program is strategic for the French and British air forces. Based on stealth technologies different from those used by the F22, the F35, but also the Su-57 or the Chinese J-20, the Franco-British UCAV will not be detectable by the low frequency radars which are beginning to equip the strengths. They will therefore allow the French and British air forces, using Rafales and Typhoon, to preserve their capabilities to “Enter First” despite advances in anti-aircraft defense systems.
This program will also allow the aeronautical industries of the two countries to maintain their technological excellence, particularly in the face of the American and Chinese aeronautical industries, both of which are developing stealth combat drone programs.
It also constitutes a significant commercial argument for both industries against the American F35. Indeed, He will allow the Rafale as well as Typhoon British to have capacities equivalent or even superior to the F35 which is now a hit in Europe. Thus, France has integrated into the supply of Rafale for Belgium, the integration of Belgian industry into the FCAS program (Future Air Combat System) of which the combat drone is one of the main players.
It remains today to know the German position on the subject, since it had indicated its interest in this project, while the United Kingdom had indicated that it wished to join the Franco-German fighter program.