The Global Combat Air Program (Gcap), a joint project between the United Kingdom, Italy, and Japan for the development of the sixth-generation combat system with entry into service planned for 2035, is advancing to the next phase.
The first joint international contract for the program has been awarded: the Gcap Agency, which manages the program on behalf of the three nations, has entrusted the contract to Edgewing, the trinational industrial joint venture established to lead the design and development of the program among the leading companies (Leonardo for Italy, Bae Systems for the United Kingdom, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for Japan), according to a statement.
The contract, worth £686 million, funds key design and engineering activities and allows the trilateral partnership to consolidate its momentum and accelerate delivery times.
All the details.
FIRST CONTRACT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SIXTH-GENERATION FIGHTER
“This contract represents an important milestone for Gcap, as activities previously carried out under separate contracts by the three nations will now be pursued as part of a fully structured international program,” commented Masami Oka, CEO of the Gcap agency.
The Gcap program started with the agreement signed between the United Kingdom, Italy, and Japan in December 2023, which provided for the creation of a government organization (Gigo) and an industrial alliance with a JV among the leading companies (Leonardo for Italy, Bae Systems for the United Kingdom, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for Japan), established in December 2024, operational since last June under the name Edgewing.
Marco Zoff, CEO of Edgewing, highlights that “The speed with which Edgewing and the Gcap Agency have increased their operational capacity has been made possible by our shared goal and the strength of collaboration. We are proud to carry forward this momentum.”
ALL THE COUNTRIES LOOKING TO GCAP
Meanwhile, interest in the program is growing among other countries, with Italy having always been supportive of the entry of additional partners.
Already last April, Defense Minister Guido Crosetto reiterated that Rome is favorable to Saudi Arabia’s joining the Gcap program, presenting it as an example of how defense cooperation can be extended to non-European countries.
In this context, Poland’s interest also fits in, having initiated contacts with the Italian and Japanese industries to evaluate a possible entry into Gcap, according to Euractiv. Warsaw views the program as an alternative to the stalled FCAS, while acknowledging the delay of its own aerospace industry and the need to close the technological gap.
