Report: Tempest fighter jet to create billions for UK economy

A report reveals the Tempest fighter jet will support 20,000 jobs every year from 2026-2050 and contribute more than £25.3 billion to the UK economy in its first 30 years.

The Tempest programme is being delivered by Team Tempest, a UK technology and defence partnership formed by BAE Systems, Leonardo UK, MBDA, Rolls-Royce and the RAF, and involving hundreds of high-tech companies, SMEs and academia across the UK.

It is one of the UK’s most ambitious technological endeavours, designed to deliver a highly advanced, adaptable and affordable military combat air system which will play a key role in the nation’s defence and security.

Along with meeting a major military requirement, the programme is expected to deliver significant benefits to the UK over its full lifetime. It will preserve sovereign capability whilst investing in highly skilled jobs, with a specific focus on young people, developing technology and infrastructure, and will support the wider economy and long-term prosperity of the UK.

The released data represents the preliminary findings of an independent analysis by PwC on the economic contribution at the initial stages of the multi-decade Tempest programme, covering the period up to 2050.

The preliminary findings reveal:


  • The Tempest programme will contribute at least £25.3 billion to the UK economy in the first 30 years alone. This figure excludes the significant impact of R&D spillover and the important role Tempest plays in securing the critical UK combat air industrial sector and its associated economic benefits.

  • For every £100 of direct value added generated by the Tempest programme partners, £220 is estimated to be created across the UK economy.

  • The programme is forecast to support an average of circa 20,000 jobs every year between 2026 and 2050. For every 100 workers employed directly by the Tempest programme partners, a further 270 are estimated to be employed across the UK economy

[caption id="attachment_56295" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] BAE Systems’ site in Warton, Lancashire is applying digital technologies to advance manufacturing on the Tempest programme[/caption]

This initial analysis looks at the period of programme development, production, entry into service and early support, but does not include the full potential of export opportunities, R&D investment or the value of the programme beyond 2050.

Michael Christie, director, combat air acquisition programme, BAE Systems, commented: “Tempest is an exciting and ambitious multi-decade programme that will help to preserve our national security whilst at the same time driving significant economic benefits for the UK.

BAE Systems www.baesystems.com

Company

BAE Systems

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