Key facts
- Britain, Italy, and Japan awarded a 4.6 billion pound ($6.14 billion) contract to Edgewing for the Global Combat Air Programme fighter jet.
- Britain committed 8.6 billion pounds over four years to the project.
- The new fighter jet is a sixth-generation stealth aircraft.
- The target readiness date for the fighter jet is 2035.
- Edgewing is a joint venture owned by BAE Systems, Leonardo, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
Britain, Italy, and Japan have awarded a 4.6 billion pound ($6.14 billion) contract to their industry joint venture, Edgewing, to advance the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) fighter jet project. This development marks a significant step forward, with Britain committing 8.6 billion pounds over four years to the tri-nation effort, overcoming recent delays attributed to budget constraints.
The GCAP fighter, also known as Tempest in the UK, is envisioned as a cutting-edge stealth aircraft with a target readiness date of 2035. The collaboration aims to share the substantial costs associated with developing such advanced technology, estimated in the tens of billions of dollars, and to secure international sales.
Edgewing, headquartered in Britain, is jointly owned by BAE Systems (UK), Leonardo (Italy), and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (Japan). The project's expansion to include other nations is being considered, with Germany identified as a potential partner due to its expertise. Saudi Arabia and Canada have also shown interest in joining the program, though any expansion would require the unanimous agreement of the founding members.
The contract award follows the collapse of a rival Franco-German fighter program, potentially reshaping European defense alliances. The new GCAP jet is expected to be larger and have a longer range than the current Typhoon military jet.