France's Safran and Germany's MTU to work on military jet engine

PARIS, Dec 3 (Reuters) - French aerospace company Safran and Germany's MTU Aero Engines said they had agreed a deal whereby the two companies would jointly develop the engine of the next-generation European 'NGF' fighter aircraft.

Safran will take the lead in engine design and integration, and MTU Aero Engines will take the lead in engine services, the companies said, confirming an earlier Reuters story.

"Safran and MTU are committed to supply the Forces with an innovative engine architecture which will be a key asset of their operational performances," said Safran Aircraft Engines CEO Olivier Andries and MTU Aero Engines chief programe officer Michael Schreyögg, in a joint statement on Tuesday.

(Reporting by Sudip Kar-Gupta, editing by Louise Heavens)