Safran and MTU reach agreement on co-operation on military jet engine: sources

PARIS (Reuters) – French engine maker Safran and German counterpart MTU Aero Engines have reached an agreement to cooperate on a military jet engine, removing an obstacle to developing a Franco-German fighter, sources familiar with the matter said.

The agreement, which follows a letter of intention signed in February, calls for Safran to be the prime contractor with MTU as “main partner” they said. A deal had been held up amid reports of opposition in the German parliament.

The agreement covers the current research phase and calls for a joint venture to be set up in the second half of 2021 to handle future proposed work.

(Reporting by Tim Hepher; editing by Louise Heavens)