UK, Italy, Japan award £4.6 billion contract to advance GCAP fighter jet
The 18-month deal will move the sixth-generation fighter into detailed design after the U.K. approved £8.6 billion in funding, officials said.
- On Friday, Japan, Italy, and the U.K. awarded a £4.6 billion development contract to Edgewing, the industrial consortium building the next-generation GCAP stealth fighter.
- This award follows the recent publication of the U.K.'s Defence Investment Plan, which confirmed £8.6 billion in funding over four years to support the program's concept and design phases.
- Running from July 1, 2026, to December 31, 2027, the 18-month contract enables Edgewing to complete the advanced concept and assessment phase alongside detailed design and development work.
- U.K. defense procurement minister Luke Pollard called the contract "a major step forward towards delivery," noting it strengthens international partnerships and supports thousands of highly skilled jobs.
- Launched in 2022, the GCAP program targets a 2035 delivery date to replace the Typhoon in RAF service and Japan's F-2 fleet, addressing emerging global security threats.
22 Articles
22 Articles
The GCAP program accelerates with a strategic contract awarded to Edgewing. Target posted to maintain an entry into service in 2035 for this new generation fighter, while international rivalry...
A £4.6 billion contract for 18 months of development of GCAP between Italy, United Kingdom and Japan: system design, multi-domain integration and ISANKE and ICS architectures are advancing.
Britain, Italy, Japan bet big on next-gen fighter jet
A next-generation stealth fighter that nearly stalled out over a funding dispute severe enough to cost two British officials their jobs has received a $6.1 billion vote of confidence from the three countries building it. The Global Combat Air Programme, known in Britain as Tempest, awarded an 18-month, £4.6 billion ($6.1 billion) contract on July […]
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