According to a joint statement released by the companies, the plan centers on offering Boeing’s T-7 training system to the United Kingdom, with final assembly and integration processes to be carried out at a UK-based facility.
The partnership aims to create hundreds of high-value jobs across the UK and sustain the local supply chain throughout the program's lifecycle. Executives emphasized that the project will directly enhance the UK's future combat air capacity and boost the operational readiness of the RAF.
Charles Woodburn, Chief Executive Officer of BAE Systems, highlighted that the proposal delivers a "modern and integrated training solution," adding that the initiative aligns with the UK’s Strategic Defence Investment Plan while bolstering sovereign industrial capabilities.
Steve Parker, head of Boeing’s Defense, Space & Security division, described the deal as a major step forward, noting that the T-7 system will support highly skilled employment across the country. Meanwhile, Saab CEO Micael Johansson noted that the ongoing collaboration with BAE Systems further solidifies the T-7's position for the RAF requirement.
Bridging the Gap to Typhoon, F-35, and 6th-Gen Fighters
The T-7 system—which is currently undergoing flight tests with the U.S. Air Force and achieved "Milestone C" (low-rate initial production) approval in late April—combines live flight training with advanced simulation technologies.
The platform is designed to streamline pilot transition to front-line combat aircraft such as the Eurofighter Typhoon and the F-35 Lightning II. The consortium added that the underlying infrastructure possesses the flexibility to adapt to future training needs for 6th-generation combat air systems, including the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP/Tempest).
This formal agreement follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the parties in November 2025. The companies are currently evaluating potential UK assembly sites and finalizing supply chain structures.