Bombardier, UK's BAE explore partnership for future combat aircraft programs

Oct 28 (Reuters) - Bombardier BBDb.TO said on Wednesday it has signed a strategic agreement with UK's BAE Systems BAES.L to explore options to develop complementary industrial and technology capabilities for future combat air programs.

As part of the memorandum of understanding, the companies will assess opportunities spanning research and development, systems integration, workforce and supply-chain development, industrialization and lifecycle support, as Canada deepens its involvement in next-generation air combat initiatives.

The agreement, which reflects Bombardier's ambitions to expand its role in defence aerospace, comes months after Canada joined the Global Combat Air Programme as an observer.

The GCAP was launched in 2022 by Britain, Italy and Japan to develop a next-generation stealth fighter by 2035, led by BAE Systems, Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries 7011.T and Italy's Leonardo LDOF.MI.