Britain, France seal deal on joint development of new missiles

British Minister for Defence Procurement Harriett Baldwin and her French counterpart Laurent Collet-Billon inked a 110-million-U.S.-dollar deal here on Tuesday to explore future missile technologies, according to the British Defense Ministry (MOD).

The agreement was signed just 24 hours before Prime Minister Theresa May signs the letter signalling Britain's exit from the European Union (EU).

Signed during a visit by Collet-Billon to the MOD, the agreement begins a three-year phase to develop future long-range weapons. Both countries will contribute 50 million euros (54 million U.S. dollars).

The MOD said the Future Cruise/Anti-Ship Weapon program would look at options to replace and improve existing naval and air force weapons systems in the next decade.

The collaboration will help define the design of future missiles, with both sides benefitting from access to each other's respective technology expertise and test facilities.

Baldwin said: "As demonstrated by having Europe's largest defense budget, the UK is committed to European security and we will continue to collaborate on joint defense programs across the continent."

Collet-Billon said: "We are launching today a major new phase in our bilateral cooperation, by planning together a generation of missiles." The program aim is to have the new missiles ready by 2030.

"This future capability is strategic, industrially as well as operationally. This new program will be the backbone of our 'one complex weapon' initiative," the MOD said.

The agreement builds on British and French similarities in missile capabilities and delivery dates.

During the 2016 Amiens Summit, Britain and France formally confirmed their intent to launch the project within 12 months.