The Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) has awarded its first joint international contract, marking a shift from nationally managed efforts to a single trilateral structure for the future fighter project led by the United Kingdom, Japan and Italy.
The contract, valued at £686 million, was placed by the GCAP Agency with Edgewing, the industrial joint venture formed by BAE Systems, Leonardo and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co. Ltd. (JAIEC). The company will be responsible for leading the aircraft’s design and development.
According to the agency, the agreement consolidates work that had previously been carried out under separate national contracts, bringing it under a unified program structure as development progresses.
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The funding will cover key design and engineering activities and is intended to advance the program’s timeline as partner nations move toward delivering a next-generation combat aircraft.
GCAP was launched in 2022 as a joint effort to develop a stealth fighter equipped with advanced technologies to replace existing platforms in service with the three countries.
Edgewing, headquartered in the UK, is expanding its operations across all partner nations and will act as the design authority for the aircraft throughout its lifecycle. The joint venture will oversee areas including engineering, airworthiness and certification as the program moves forward.
