David Cameron is heading for a collision with the French president François Hollande over his EU changes at the Anglo-French summit at RAF Brize Norton on Friday after the Elysée Palace challenged the prime minister's referendum timetable.

On the eve of the first Anglo-French summit since Hollande became president in 2012, British officials dismissed French claims that a major renegotiation of British membership terms would not be possible before the prime minister's planned referendum in 2017.

Britain turned on Paris after French officials made it clear that Hollande was not prepared to accelerate EU treaty negotiations to stabilise the eurozone to fit the prime minister's EU timetable for changes. Cameron's plans, which could allow Britain and other member states to opt out of the historic objective to achieve an "ever closer union", need to be introduced through a treaty change.

The pointed briefing by French officials on Wednesday followed Tory attacks on Ed Miliband for following Hollande's initial fiscal plans. The French president proposed a 75% tax aimed at the super-rich, though he has since changed tack after the tax was struck down in court.

Cameron and Hollande are expected to put on a friendly front as they hail Anglo-French defence co-operation at the summit. Hollande will fly into and out of the military base, which is in the prime minister's Witney constituency, allowing him to keep a low profile after the recent revelations about his private life.

The two leaders, who will be accompanied by senior ministers, will announce a joint feasibility study on developing a military drone, the joint purchase of missiles, deepening collaboration on nuclear energy and a space industry agreement.