37th Franco-British Summit sees MBDA play a role in Lancaster House 2.0 Declaration to bring industry and armed forces closer and enhance capability.
Developing partnering relationships and securing access to sovereign capabilities for our Home Nations, as well as promoting programme cooperation and industrial consolidation in Europe, are key strategic aims for MBDA. It is through these aims that we can meet today's threats and tomorrow's challenges. Therefore, it is great when we are involved in activities with our customers that truly demonstrate our work in these areas.
During the state Visit to the United Kingdom (UK) by French President Emmanuel Macron from 8 to 10 July 2025, President Macron and the UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, co-chaired the 37th Franco-British summit. On the side lines of that summit, were bilateral talks that took place between the UK Defence Secretary, the Rt Hon. John Healey, and the French Minister for the Army, Sebastian Lecornu. These meetings aimed to strengthen the defence relationship between the two countries and reaffirm the Lancaster House Treaties.
As part of their activities, and ahead of Lancaster House 2.0: Declaration on Modernising UK-French Defence and Security Cooperation, the two political defence leaders took the time to visit our site in Stevenage. There, they saw and heard first-hand the developments that MBDA is progressing and that will contribute to the later stated endeavours to embark on an 'Entente Industrielle', enhancing capability and industrial cooperation, bringing the countries respective defence industries and militaries closer than ever before to strengthen NATO.
MBDA welcomes the joint commitments made by the UK and France at the Franco-British summit, in order to strengthen their common defence capabilities.
Future Cruise / Anti-Ship Weapon (FC/ASW)
FC/ASW is the result of both countries' strong commitment to the development of the next generation of Deep Precision Strike capability that can counter-A2AD for the (SEAD/DEAD) and anti-HVAA.
The successes of the FC/ASW assessment phase and its maturation of key technologies will be critical following the declaration announcement of the Launch of the development phase of the programme.
For the next decade, FC/ASW will ensure the operational superiority of forces and strengthen Europe’s strategic autonomy, capitalizing on the knowledge acquired in deep strike field. To achieve this ambitious development, more than 750 engineers are already mobilized on both sides of the Channel.
Next generation beyond visual range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM)
After the FC/ASW briefing, both visitors had the opportunity to see first-hand the digital capabilities - our simulation and synthetic environments - that will help shape the development of the next generation of beyond visual range air-to-air missiles. With similar facilities in France also.
The declaration announced the joint development of the next generation of beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles for the UK and France's fighter jets, while also extending their current METEOR capability. It launched a joint study with industry to inform the future development of its successor.
METEOR represents a redefinition of beyond visual range air-to-air combat in the 21st century. Its ramjet motor generates the most extensive No Escape Zone among any air-to-air missile system, together with its unparalleled endgame kinematics and warhead, which ensures maximum lethality.
This endeavour means both nations to continue to innovate together in the field of air combat.
STORM SHADOW / SCALP
The visitors then finished their visit with a tour of the assembly line of the cruise missile that has helped define MBDA. The creation of the company was to develop Europe's leading deep strike capability over two decades ago, and these MBDA-made systems continue to prove themselves as a decisive military capability on the battlefield and an exceptional deterrent.
In the current global context, the declaration announced that the UK and France would acquire new STORM SHADOW / SCALP missiles, following their successful use by Ukraine. This will upgrade UK and French production lines to bolster national stockpiles and deter their adversaries. Creating hundreds of jobs across MBDA and its supply chains.
It also announced the establishment of a new, joint Complex Weapons Portfolio Office, embedded with OCCAR. Starting with STORM SHADOW / SCALP acquisition, it will deliver joint projects within OCCAR, and work closely with MBDA to identify the opportunities from both countries investments, reduce duplication, and start studies on Integrated Air Missile Defence and Cooperative Tactical Strike future capabilities.
Further declarations
While the visit to our Stevenage site ended at our STORM SHADOW / SCALP assembly line, the Lancaster House 2.0: Declaration included further UK-France collaboration opportunities for MBDA.
There was an endeavour to focus greater efforts on integrated air and missile defence (IAMD), including (but not limited to) C-UAS and counter-hypersonic capabilities, drawing primarily from the ASTER family, and potentially including SAMP/T NG and CAMM.
Importantly, though, Entente Industrielle endeavours ended with recognising the importance of improving European defence industrial resilience. This renewed dynamic of cooperation proves, once again, the relevance of the MBDA model. Since its creation 25 years ago, MBDA has been a tool of cooperation between the European nations, serving the sovereignty of France and the United Kingdom in particular. MBDA also contributes to strengthening the defense industrial and technological base of both countries.
The complex systems we develop are the result of cultures, expertise, technological capabilities and knowledge unique in Europe, which we have chosen to share. This model of integration allows us to find the right balance between industrial efficiency and the preservation of the sovereign interests of States. It is thanks to cooperation that MBDA is now the only non-US player capable of providing a complete range of missile systems, for all the current and future needs of the three armed forces.