BAE Systems Lands GBP708 Million Contract Extension to Advance UK's Combat Air Technologies

05:40 AM EDT, 07/22/2026 (MT Newswires) -- BAE Systems (BA.L) secured a contract extension worth 708 million pounds sterling from the UK's Ministry of Defence to advance the development of sixth-generation sovereign combat air technologies. The British aerospace and defense group will deliver and integrate UK technology as well as develop capabilities including software, digital networks, digital engineering and physical infrastructure as the country's lead system integrator in the Global Combat Air Program, according to a Wednesday release. The company will also develop national capabilities beyond the core Tempest sixth-generation aircraft, helping develop a broader future combat air system. BAE Systems is one of several UK partners in the multinational program between the UK, Italy and Japan aiming to produce a next-generation fighter aircraft by 2035.