France and Britain have agreed to contribute US$5m each annually to fund a missile partnership that will see the countries develop and integrate missile technology.

The contributions will be matched by an industry and academic consortium led by missile producers MBDA, which includes Thales Air Systems, Thales Missile Electronics, Microturbo, Selex, Roxel, QinetiQ, Nexter Munitions and several universities, France’s Délégation Générale pour l’Armement (DGA) says.

The partnership deal will run for three years and is renewable for a further two years.

Research will focus on materials and components for missile technology while seeking to consolidate a European technological base to satisfy common needs in research and to identify emerging technologies.

DGA chief executive Francois Lureau and British Minister for Defence Procurement Baroness Ann Taylor say the partnership is a “concrete example of cooperation which ensures access by the French and British forces to essential technologies and to optimise the advantages of a common investment between governments and industry”.

By Elizabeth Clifford-Marsh

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.