UK/Japan/Italy aircraft development and acquisition programme
Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP)
General information
Project for
Multirole fighter
National origin
Italy Japan United Kingdom
Manufacturer
BAE Systems Military Air & Information Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Leonardo S.p.A.
Issued by
Royal Air Force Japan Air Self-Defense Force Italian Air Force
Prototypes
Flight demonstrator expected 2027
History
Initiated
December 2022
Expected
2035
Developed from
BAE Systems Tempest, Mitsubishi F-X
Predecessors
Eurofighter Typhoon, Mitsubishi F-2
The Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) is a multinational initiative led by the United Kingdom, Japan, and Italy to jointly develop a sixth-generation stealth fighter. The programme aims to replace the Eurofighter Typhoon in service with both the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the Italian Air Force, and the Mitsubishi F-2 in service with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.
On 9 December 2022, the governments of Japan, the United Kingdom, and Italy jointly announced that they would develop and deploy a common fighter jet, merging their previously separate sixth-generation projects: the United Kingdom-led BAE Systems Tempest developed with Italy, and the Japanese Mitsubishi F-X.[1][2] This was cemented with a treaty signed in December 2023 in Japan.[3]
Under the current timeline, the programme expects to begin the formal development phase from 2025, with a demonstrator to fly in 2027, and production aircraft to begin entering service from 2035.[4]
^Kosuke, Takahashi (9 December 2022). "Why Japan Chose Britain and Italy for Its F-X Fighter Program". The Diplomat. Archived from the original on 7 November 2023.
^Chuter, Andrew (9 December 2022). "Move over, Tempest: Japan pact takes UK-Italy fighter plan 'global'". Defense News. Archived from the original on 11 December 2022. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
^Cite error: The named reference :2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Hemler, Jon (14 June 2023). "BRIEFER: Global Combat Air Program (GCAP)". Defense Security Monitor. Archived from the original on 19 December 2023. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
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