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FARNBOROUGH, England (Reuters) – Britain's Defense Minister Gavin Williamson unveiled a model of the country's proposed new fighter jet named Tempest at the Farnborough Airshow on Monday, and said it would seek international partners to help develop the project.
The government said 2 billion pounds had been earmarked to finance the project to 2025 and that additional funding would be provided by its industrial partners on the project.
The aircraft, which will eventually replace the Typhoon fighter jet, will be developed by industrial partners BAE Systems ( BAES.L ), Britain's largest defense company, alongside UK engine-maker Rolls-Royce ( RR.L ), Italian defense firm Leonardo ( LDOF.MI ), and European missile maker MBDA.
Williamson was speaking at the Farnborough Airshow in front of a giant screen that was pulled away to reveal the sleek life-size version of Tempest, the cockpit window visible in its foreground, above a white underbelly.
Britain wants to find an international partner to help develop the jet, and Williamson appealed to the crowd with a visit to the city.
"Our approach hinges on international collaboration," he said.
"My question to potential partners in the room today is simple, how can you work, how can we work with you?"
Air Vice-Marshal Simon Rochelle from Britain's Royal Air Force said Britain was having discussions with a number of potential partner countries, including Sweden and Japan.
South Korea, Japan and Turkey, or Gulf arms-buying nations like Saudi Arabia, are also possibilities.
Under the plans, the new jet will be operational by 2035, ready to replace the Typhoon fleet, which is due to be retired in 2040.
The new jet will be able to be operated by a pilot in the aircraft , but will also have a unmanned capability.
BREXIT
Prime Minister Theresa May announced the new plans earlier on Monday when she opened the Airshow.
"I want to announce the publication of the UK's fight strategy, which confirms our commitment to maintaining our world-class air power capabilities," she said.
The UK-led project comes as Britain is due to leave the European Union in less than nine months.
It would be a challenge to have a new role in the program, saying it would start a bilateral effort with Germany that could be expanded later.
The Typhoon, in contrast, was developed by the four-nation group of Germany, Spain, Britain and Italy in the 1980s.
BAE Systems Strategy Director for Air, Michael Christie, said Britain had the ability to develop its own business.
"The partnership is a reality of today's defense market. It's very rare for major capital programs to be done on their own and it's very rare for somebody to develop something and just sell it, "he said.
Britain has not developed a jet fighter since the 1960s. However, it is one of the most advanced stealth fighters in the UK fleet, which is the U.S.-made F-35, with BAE Systems carrying out about 15 percent of the work on each jet.
Airbus ( AIR.PA ) and its long-time rival, France's Dassault Aviation ( AVMD.PA ), have agreed to work on the Franco-German project together.
Missile maker MBDA is owned joint-owned by Airbus ( AIR.PA ), BAE Systems and Leonardo.
($ 1 = 0.7553 pounds)
Reporting by Sarah Young; Additional reporting by Andrew Shalal, Editing by Paul Sandle and Mark Potter
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