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COMBAT POTENTIAL

The Global Combat Air Programme is showing the path

forward for joint next-generation combat air development

By OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
T he Global Combat Air supersonic aircraft testing a range joint venture will be from Italy.

of new technologies including
Programme (GCAP) is
an ambitious initiative to
Executive Officer and General
features. This December, the indus-
develop a next-generation combat integration of stealth compatible Roberto Cingolani, Leonardo Chief
air platform, including uncrewed try partners announced that they Manager, said: “This agreement
aircraft and weapons. The tri-nation had reached a landmark agreement is the result of an intensive jour-
partnership between UK, Italy and to deliver a next generation combat ney made possible by pooling
Japan is slated to deliver a 6th gen aircraft. our mutual and shared expe-
fighter aircraft into service in 2035. riences. This partnership not
GCAP brings together Euro-Atlantic Path Forward only enhances our technological
and Indo-Pacific partners for the capabilities but also reinforces
first time in a programme of this BAE Systems (UK), Leonardo our commitment to global security
nature. This is also the first time that (Italy), and Japan Aircraft Industrial and innovation.” He added the pro-
any of the GCAP partner nations Enhancement Co Ltd (JAIEC), gramme was paving the way for the
are developed a new fighter jet air- the key national national partners development of a new era in Aircraft
craft using 21st century technology. will form a new company under Systems and Multi- domain scenar-
a business joint venture for the ios, fostering long-term sustainable
Global Combat Air Programme growth for the economies of the
The programme’s concept and (GCAP). The trilateral government, involved countries.
assessment phase is slated for defence, and industrial cooperation
completion in 2025 and will be between the UK, Japan, and Italy The GCAP joint venture will be
followed by a design development on GCAP has been underway since accountable for the design, devel-
phase during which the first flight December 2022. BAE Systems, opment and delivery of the next
of a demonstrator aircraft is due Leonardo, and JAIEC will each hold generation combat aircraft and will
to take place in 2027. The flying a 33.3% shareholding in the new remain the aircraft’s design author-
demonstrator will be a piloted joint venture. The first CEO of the ity for the life of the product, which
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