Japan, UK, and Italy's GCAP Fighter Jet to Enter Formal Design Phase, Targeting Deployment by 2035

(CNA, London, 14th –综合外电报道) Japanese Prime Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi began a series of talks today with leaders of the United Kingdom and Italy, aiming to accelerate the trilateral development of a next-generation fighter jet. After delays caused by the UK's fiscal issues, progress on the project has regained momentum, with plans now advancing into the design phase.

According to the 'Nikkei' report, Japan, the UK, and Italy are jointly advancing the 'Global Combat Air Programme' (GCAP) for the joint development of a next-generation fighter, with a target deployment date of 2035. As the project formally enters the design phase and emerges from a period of stagnation, other like-minded countries such as Canada have also shown interest in the initiative.

The 'Japan Aero-Industrial Development Corporation' (JAIEC), composed of companies including Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, has jointly established a company called Edgewing with the UK's BAE Systems and Italy's Leonardo Group.

The company was originally scheduled to sign a contract with the 'Global Combat Air Programme International Government Organisation' (GIGO) by the end of last year. However, due to delays in the UK's defense investment plans, the contract was only finalized in April this year. Moreover, instead of a multi-year long-term agreement, the signed contract is a provisional one, valid only until the end of June 2024.

Given the enormous costs involved in fighter development, multinational joint programs have become the current standard in fighter development. This approach not only pools cutting-edge technologies from various nations but also allows for shared cost burdens. The design will also retain flexibility, enabling each country to more easily integrate desired technologies in the future.

Japan has previously co-developed fighters such as the F-2 with the United States. This collaboration with the UK and Italy aligns with Japan's policy of expanding cooperation with like-minded countries beyond the US, broadening its diplomatic and defense network.

However, just before the Japan-UK summit, the UK government announced it would sign a formal contract by the end of this month. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also expressed a 'deep commitment' during the talks.

It is expected that the upcoming contract will be a long-term agreement lasting over one year. Both sides have also agreed to establish a new 'Defense Capability Industry Council,' composed of vice-ministerial-level officials from Japan's Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) and the UK Ministry of Defence, to promote joint development of defense equipment.

After concluding talks in the UK, Prime Minister Hayashi will meet with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome on the 15th, where they are expected to reaffirm their continued commitment to advancing the 'Global Combat Air Programme.' (Translation: Li Jing / Review: Zhang Mingxuan) 1150615