The United Kingdom, Italy, and Japan have signed a £4.6 billion ($6.1 billion) contract to advance the development of a next-generation stealth fighter jet, marking a key milestone for the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP). The deal aims to produce a sixth-generation combat aircraft targeted for service entry in 2035, the British government announced in a statement.
GCAP Fighter Jet to Complement Existing RAF Fleet
According to the statement, the GCAP fighter jet will operate alongside Typhoons, F-35s, and autonomous systems as part of a next-generation Royal Air Force. The aircraft will employ complex digital engineering, artificial intelligence, and groundbreaking technologies to become the most advanced fighter jet flown by the RAF.
Joint Venture Edgewing Awarded Contract
The contract, jointly funded by the three nations, was awarded to Edgewing, a joint venture formed in 2025 by Britain's BAE Systems, Italy's Leonardo, and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co. Ltd. (JAIEC). The funding will finance the next phase of the program, focusing on the aircraft's design by establishing its key requirements and rigorous testing.
This partnership underscores the collaborative effort to maintain technological superiority in aerial combat capabilities, with the GCAP expected to deliver unprecedented performance and integration with existing and future systems.
