Leonardo UK CEO sees potential CCA role, but wary of funding

FARNBOROUGH — The head of Leonardo’s British division Clive Higgins says that while the company is keeping an eye on how it could get involved with the UK’s new Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, government funding right now doesn’t appear to be near the level needed for a full fleet to be developed. Moments before local rival BAE Systems unveiled its Brontanax CCA demonstrator at the Farnborough International Airshow, Higgins told Breaking Defense that the British government’s Defence Investment Plan’s (DIP) £300 million ($398 million) “investment” for the loyal wingman type drones is only “enough to probably kick off a program and do some initial demonstrator work. I don’t think you’re going to get [a] complete [fleet].” “That’s why you need to see what the requirement actually is, and then how can we best support that?” he said. Based on the company’s prowess in developing and selling electronic warfare systems to the UK Royal Air Force (RAF), Higgins signaled that he will prioritize this side of the business when approaching CCA opportunities. “Of course, if we’re just talking [about] sensors and effectors, well what’s needed on there?” he asked. “What missions are you trying to deliver? And that will dictate a shape and size of radar apertures and those type of things.” Leonardo UK is already a key industry partner to the RAF on the service’s StormShourd Autonomous Collaborative Platform (ACP), which started operations in May 2025. The firm supplies its BriteStorm stand-in jammer, designed to effectively transform the Tekever AR3 aircraft into a platform that can take on suppression of enemy air defense (SEAD) missions, while in parallel teaming with RAF fighter jets in contested airspace. “We’re doing some great work with Tekever on Stormshroud,” said Higgins. Beyond individual British projects, he noted that Leonardo’s joint venture with Turkey’s Baykar could “potentially” lead to securing CCA business under the trilateral Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP). But Higgins said there is much to consider, especially on cost, before reaching such a deal. “It depends on what effect you’re trying to have,” he explained. “GCAP from the outset is designed to do, or will be doing a specific mission. You’re talking very long range. It’s a big platform. Therefore, if you’re going to have a loyal wingman, CCA … alongside, you’re going to need certain characteristics, which actually will lift the price point as well when you start talking about the type of technology” required. Leonardo’s contribution to the JV with Baykar predominately focuses on payloads and mission systems, complemented by the drone-maker’s wide ranging aircraft portfolio which includes TB2, Akinci, and Kizilelma systems. As Breaking Defense reported last month, the two firms completed the first test flights for swarming capabilities of two M-346 light attack manned aircraft and one Kizilema drone. ‘Surprise’ Storm Shadow News Elsewhere in the interview, Higgins said that w…