UK, Italy & Japan Confirm Joint Development of New Fighter

The United Kingdom, Italy and Japan have joined forces to develop a new sixth generation combat aircraft under the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) to adapt and respond to the security threats of the future.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will visit a UK RAF base on December 9 to launch the first major phase of the programme, which aims to harness the combined expertise and strength of our countries’ defence technology industries to push the boundaries of what has been achieved in aerospace engineering to date.

Due to take to the skies by 2035, the ambition is for this to be a next-generation jet enhanced by a network of capabilities such as uncrewed aircraft, advanced sensors, cutting-edge weapons and innovative data systems, the UK Ministry of Defence said in a release.

“It is anticipated that more likeminded countries may buy into GCAP in due course or collaborate on wider capabilities – boosting UK exports. The combat aircraft developed through GCAP is also expected to be compatible with other NATO partners’ fighter jets,” Sunak said.

During a visit to RAF Coningsby today, the Prime Minister will view the Typhoon aircraft which have been at the heart of the UK’s air policing for two decades. The new combat aircraft designed by GCAP is expected to replace the Typhoon when it comes out of service.

The UK, Italy and Japan will now work intensively to establish the core platform concept and set up the structures needed to deliver this massive defence project, ready to launch the development phase in 2025. Ahead of the development phase, partners will also agree the cost-sharing arrangements based on a joint assessment of costs and national budgets.

Alongside the development of the core future combat aircraft with Italy and Japan, the UK will assess their needs on any additional capabilities, for example weapons and Uncrewed Air Vehicles.

The combat aircraft will provide speed stealth, use advanced sensors and even artificial intelligence (AI) to assist the human pilot when they are overwhelmed, or under extreme stress. It could also be flown without a pilot's input if required and could be able to fire hypersonic missiles.