BAE Systems, Leonardo and Japanese Partner Form Edgewing to Lead Next-Gen Combat Aircraft Design

BAE Systems, Leonardo and Japanese Partner Form Edgewing to Lead Next-Gen Combat Aircraft Design

(IN BRIEF) Edgewing, a joint venture of BAE Systems, Leonardo and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co. Ltd., has been launched to take design authority for the next-generation combat aircraft under the Global Combat Air Programme. With Marco Zoff as CEO, Edgewing will oversee development through to beyond 2070, aiming for an in-service date of 2035. Operations and joint teams will span the UK, Italy and Japan, with headquarters in the UK to align closely with the GCAP International Government Organisation. This venture demonstrates a new model of trilateral industrial partnership, designed to bolster national supply chains, facilitate technology transfer and secure enduring combat air capabilities for all three nations.

(PRESS RELEASE) FARNBOROUGH, 20-Jun-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Today marks a pivotal advance in international defence cooperation as BAE Systems (UK), Leonardo (Italy) and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co. Ltd. (Japan) formally established Edgewing—a joint venture charged with designing and developing the next-generation combat aircraft under the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP). Edgewing will retain design authority throughout the aircraft’s lifecycle, which is projected to extend beyond 2070.

Tasked with meeting GCAP’s ambitious milestones—including an in-service date of 2035—Edgewing embodies a groundbreaking trilateral industrial alliance spanning Europe and Asia. Its operations will be distributed across the UK, Italy and Japan, with a UK headquarters ensuring seamless coordination with the GCAP International Government Organisation (GIGO).

At the helm is Marco Zoff, former Managing Director of Leonardo’s Aircraft Division, who assumes the role of Edgewing’s inaugural Chief Executive Officer. Zoff brings a wealth of experience in aerospace collaboration and technological innovation.

“Launching Edgewing within GCAP is a momentous occasion,” said Marco Zoff. “By combining the expertise of our teams in the UK, Italy and Japan, we will not only deliver a cutting-edge combat air system but also establish a new benchmark for international partnership, agility and trust. Our work will strengthen national supply chains and create enduring security and prosperity for our countries and future generations.”

Masami Oka, Chief Executive of GIGO, added: “The creation of Edgewing represents a crucial step forward in this truly global development effort. A close, empowered collaboration between GIGO and Edgewing is essential to GCAP’s success. I am confident that our joint approach will foster integration, mutual trust and a shared vision for the future.”

GCAP stands as a landmark programme for each partner nation’s security and economic growth. By facilitating knowledge and technology transfer, it will build resilient supply chains and deliver sovereign combat air capabilities to the UK, Italy and Japan for decades to come.

Media contact:

Rachael Gordon
Strategic & External Communications Director
Air Sector
BAE Systems
+44 (0) 7793 423 682

SOURCE: BAE Systems