The European Union has officially approved a next-generation fighter jet initiative jointly established by the United Kingdom, Italy, and Japan. The venture, formed through a partnership between BAE Systems, Japan Aircraft Industrial, and Leonardo, will act as the main contractor for the sixth-generation fighter jet under the GCAP (Global Combat Air Programme).
The European Commission confirmed that the initiative does not violate competition rules, clearing the way for the partnership. The new company will be headquartered in the United Kingdom, with its first CEO expected to be appointed from Italy.
Equal Ownership of 33.3% per Partner
Shares in the new company are evenly divided among the leading defense firms of the three countries, each holding 33.3%. GCAP aims to develop the next-generation fighter jet, targeted to enter service by 2035.
The fighter jet under development will feature digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, a combat cloud, cyber-resilient data links, and integrated command and control systems, serving as the core of a multidimensional defense network operating across land, air, sea, space, and cyber domains.
Expected Economic and Technological Benefits
The program is expected to significantly contribute to high-tech investments, increased employment in the defense industry, and economic growth in the three countries. Supporters of GCAP include Avio Aero, Elettronica, MBDA Italia, various universities, research centers, and SMEs.
Two Separate Fighter Jet Projects in Europe
In addition to GCAP, France, Germany, and Spain are running a separate next-generation fighter jet development project. This situation raises some questions regarding the sharing of defense resources and strategic alignment within Europe.
