Key facts
- Edgewing plans to open a design and development center in Japan early next year.
- The Japanese center is expected to eventually employ about 1,000 people.
- The Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) aims for the next-generation fighter to be operational from 2035.
- Edgewing is a joint venture equally owned by Leonardo, BAE Systems, and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co. Ltd. (JAIEC).
- The GCAP Agency awarded Edgewing a contract worth £4.6 billion on July 3, 2026, for an 18-month design phase.
Edgewing, the joint venture responsible for developing a next-generation fighter jet for Japan, the U.K., and Italy, plans to open a design and development center in Japan early next year, according to CEO Marco Zoff. This center is expected to eventually employ approximately 1,000 people.
The Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), a collaboration between the three nations, aims to bring the advanced air system into operational service by 2035. The program is managed and coordinated by the GCAP International Government Organisation (GIGO) through the GCAP Agency, headquartered in Reading, UK.
Edgewing, led by Chairman Herman Claesen and CEO Marco Zoff, brings together the contributions of the national industries. The company holds design authority throughout the aircraft's lifecycle, which is expected to extend beyond 2070. Production and final assembly will be handled by national industries and their respective supply chains.
On July 3, 2026, the GCAP Agency awarded Edgewing a contract worth £4.6 billion, jointly funded by the three countries, to cover the advanced analysis and concept phase before detailed design and development begins. An initial joint contract worth £686 million was awarded in April 2026.
Lorenzo Mariani, CEO and General Manager of Leonardo, stated that GCAP is a challenging and futuristic program ensuring technological sovereignty for generations to come. He highlighted that hundreds of engineers in Turin and thousands more across Italy will contribute to its success, driving technological development and economic growth, creating skilled jobs, and supporting production ecosystems.