Britain sees progress in F-35 tech transfer talks

Published: Mar 21, 2006
Source: today.reuters.co.uk



WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Britain is more optimistic about the prospects of buying the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter after crucial talks with U.S. officials over technology transfers went well, a British embassy spokesman said on Monday.

The sophisticated, radar-evading F-35 will cost an estimated $256 billion (146 billion pounds) for the 2,593 jets that the United States and Britain plan to buy.

Britain's top arms buyer, Lord Drayson, told a U.S. Senate committee last week that his country would be unable to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on buying the aircraft unless the United States gave it access to some of its classified technology.

Embassy spokesman Steve Atkins said Drayson had "extremely constructive" talks with top U.S. officials after his testimony to the Senate Armed Services Committee and progress had been made, although some areas still needed more work.continue..