Air Power 2017

28 AIR POWER 2017 21 ST CENTURY PARTNERSHIPS

FOREWORD

PAUL EVERIT T

CHIEF EXECUTIVE, ADS GROUP

A

close and mutually beneficial partnership

between the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the

UK’s aerospace and defence industries

plays a vital role in delivering both our

national security and our economic prosperity.

The UK’s combat air capability is a real success story. UK

industry provides world-leading platforms, equipment, systems,

support and services to the RAF and our friends and allies around

the world. The sector delivered more than 80% of the UK’s defence

exports from 2006 to 2015. This is of huge value to the UK, creating

long-term, high-value jobs in every corner of the country and

sustaining important diplomatic and military relationships.

We should not underestimate the importance our allies

and international customers attach to the strong relationship

between industry and the RAF. The demanding standards

set by the RAF and the outstanding quality of its people are

respected around the world. When they choose to work with

industry partners, it sends a very strong and positive signal.

The UK is at the centre of the provision of cutting-edge

platforms, as well as support service partnerships, helping to

provide the UK’s Armed Forces with world-leading capabilities and

global reach. The Airbus A400M Atlas and Voyager programmes

are exemplars of multinational cooperation and the strong

relationships throughout the UK’s defence industry. Every UK military

helicopter pilot trains on an Airbus helicopter, with their Oxford

base home to one of only six H225 simulators available worldwide.

Typhoon and Hawk have historically been integral to UK

Defence Aerospace and have proven to be operationally and

commercially successful, helping to develop and sustain vital

engineering and design capabilities in the UK, as well as significantly

supporting defence exports. Together with the UK’s role on

the F-35 programme, these programmes provide a bridge to

future combat air capabilities, including unmanned systems.

Far-reaching supply chains mean that a wide range of

UK companies participate in military aerospace programmes,

working together to put the latest technological innovations at

the disposal of the RAF – and providing vital economic benefits

for communities right across the country. We have seen a number

of long-term partnerships announced in which the UK supports

the RAF through training and testing, and maintenance services,

enhancing military capability for the future. QinetiQ is transforming

the delivery of strategic Test & Evaluation and Training Services

through the Long Term Partnering Agreement with the Ministry of

Defence – an investment of approximately £180m in modernising

facilities, equipment and developing new ways of working.

Making sure the RAF remains at the cutting edge of

simulation technology, BAE Systems has invested £2.3m

in a Training and Simulation Integration Facility (TSIF)

at Warton, Lancashire, providing the latest simulation

technology for Hawk and Typhoon pilots and engineers.

To make sure the UK maintains its position as a leader in military

aerospace, partnerships across the industry and government

must be for the long term. Stronger relationships will enable the

industry to invest in innovation, deliver efficiently in the UK and

achieve greater growth in exports markets. The work of the Defence

Growth Partnership is vital to cementing this relationship and I

look forward to working with colleagues from across industry and

government, supporting the continued success of this important

manufacturing sector and reinforcing our national security.

Providing world-class capabilities