LBCI

Saudi, UK ministers agree to study combat air cooperation

World

02-03-2023 | 05:16

Share

Share

Saudi, UK ministers agree to study combat air cooperation

2^min

Saudi and British defense ministers have agreed to study future co-operation on combat air capabilities and potential industrial projects, the Saudi state news agency reported.

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman and British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace met in Riyadh on Wednesday and signed a "declaration of intent regarding the participation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the Future Air Capabilities Program (FCAS)", it said.

The scope of the accord was not immediately clear.

FCAS is an acronym widely used for next-generation fighter projects known as Future Combat Air Systems, including the British-led Tempest program which was recently expanded to include Japan under a new framework called Global Air Combat Program.

The brief official Saudi media report did not indicate whether Riyadh was planning to join the British-led fighter program directly, but defense analysts cautioned that such alliances typically take months or years to negotiate.

The Saudi report said areas covered by the declaration included "defining a comprehensive and joint vision for the future partnership for air combat operations" and discussing partnerships that "meet the needs of the required capabilities".

It said identifying industrial participation projects and joint research and development projects were also included.

The British Defense ministry said the statement of intent signed in Riyadh would initiate a "Partnering Feasibility Study to explore how we can best position our decades long combat air relationship for the future".

The ministry, in its statement, added that the two nations confirmed a common desire for closer industrial collaboration and to develop key capabilities, but made no reference to the FCAS fighter project.

Saudi Arabia

UK

Agree

Study

Combat

Air

Cooperation

Potential

Industrial

Projects

Subscribe to our VOD

SUBSCRIBE

Our visitors readings

Germany tells nationals to leave Iran, fearing retaliation over sanctionsc

Middle East News

2025-08-29

Germany tells nationals to leave Iran, fearing retaliation over sanctionsc

Israel slams as 'distorted and false' UN probe on Gaza 'genocide'

Israel-Gaza War Updates

03:18

Israel slams as 'distorted and false' UN probe on Gaza 'genocide'

Israel military official says 'main' operation into Gaza City underway

Israel-Gaza War Updates

04:32

Israel military official says 'main' operation into Gaza City underway

UN slams Israel's Qatar attack as assault on 'regional peace and stability'

Middle East News

05:23

UN slams Israel's Qatar attack as assault on 'regional peace and stability'

Videos

Lunar eclipse captivates Lebanon: watch the stunning video

2025-09-07

Lunar eclipse captivates Lebanon: watch the stunning video

LBCI correspondent reports from Nabatieh as residents clear rubble after Israeli strikes

2025-08-31

LBCI correspondent reports from Nabatieh as residents clear rubble after Israeli strikes

Unprecedented step: Lebanon funds kidney transplants for all qualified patients

2025-08-29

Unprecedented step: Lebanon funds kidney transplants for all qualified patients

US envoy Barrack clarifies ‘animalistic’ comment, says media ‘just doing their job’

2025-08-28

US envoy Barrack clarifies ‘animalistic’ comment, says media ‘just doing their job’

US congressional delegation in Beirut discusses disarmament of Hezbollah, LAF support, Israeli perspective

2025-08-26

US congressional delegation in Beirut discusses disarmament of Hezbollah, LAF support, Israeli perspective

40 years of LBCI: A look back at its milestones

News Bulletin Reports

2025-08-23

40 years of LBCI: A look back at its milestones

President Aoun: Hezbollah's weapons are an internal matter, US proposal is now a Lebanese paper

2025-08-17

President Aoun: Hezbollah's weapons are an internal matter, US proposal is now a Lebanese paper

Pregnant journalist Petra Abou Haidar attacked in road rage assault

2025-07-15

Pregnant journalist Petra Abou Haidar attacked in road rage assault

Massive fire erupts at unregulated dumpsite in Bchannine, Zgharta district

2025-07-01

Massive fire erupts at unregulated dumpsite in Bchannine, Zgharta district

Most read

24 hours

7 days

Month

UNIFIL donates over 100 vehicles and equipment to Lebanese Army in support boost

1

UNIFIL donates over 100 vehicles and equipment to Lebanese Army in support boost

Owner of vessel linked to giant 2020 Beirut port blast arrested in Bulgaria: Court

2

Owner of vessel linked to giant 2020 Beirut port blast arrested in Bulgaria: Court

Legal action: Lebanon moves toward criminalizing bullying with new draft law

3

Legal action: Lebanon moves toward criminalizing bullying with new draft law

Lebanon sees increase in fuel prices

4

Lebanon sees increase in fuel prices

Trump likely to meet Zelensky next week on peace efforts: Rubio

5

Trump likely to meet Zelensky next week on peace efforts: Rubio

Syria has withdrawn heavy weapons from south: Military official to AFP

6

Syria has withdrawn heavy weapons from south: Military official to AFP

Escalation without limits: Israel unleashes multi-front offensive as Gaza war nears second year

7

Escalation without limits: Israel unleashes multi-front offensive as Gaza war nears second year

US sanctions target financing of Iran's military

8

US sanctions target financing of Iran's military

Download now the LBCI mobile app

To see the latest news, the latest daily programs in Lebanon and the world

Google Play

App Store

Download now the LBCI mobile app

We use
cookies

We use cookies to make
your experience on this
website better.

Accept

Learn More