Next-Generation Fighter Aircraft Takes Shape with Tri-National Partnership

Next-Generation Fighter Aircraft Takes Shape with Tri-National Partnership

(IN BRIEF) In a significant milestone, leaders from Italy’s Leonardo, Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and the UK’s BAE Systems, prominent players in the global defense industry, welcome the signing of the Convention on the Establishment of the “Global Combat Air Programme – GCAP International Government Organisation” by their respective governments. This treaty signifies a collaborative effort to design and develop a next-generation fighter aircraft by 2035, strengthening the trilateral partnership. Discussions surrounding the industrial framework for GCAP are ongoing, emphasizing long-term working arrangements and concept development for this cutting-edge combat aircraft. Notably, the joint government headquarters will be located in the UK, led by a Japanese CEO, and the future business construct will also be based in the UK, under Italian leadership. GCAP represents a pivotal initiative enhancing security and defense capabilities across Italy, Japan, and the UK, with extensive global collaboration and knowledge transfer, supported by thousands of professionals and suppliers worldwide.

(PRESS RELEASE) FARNBOROUGH, 14-Dec-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — In a strategic partnership, BAE Systems (LON: BA), a British multinational defence, security, and aerospace company, announces that leaders in the national defence industry participating in the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) – namely, Leonardo (Italy), Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (Japan), and BAE Systems (UK) – warmly applaud the signing of the Convention on the Establishment of the “Global Combat Air Programme – GCAP International Government Organisation (the GIGO)” by their respective governments.

In a historic agreement, ministers from Italy, Japan, and the UK have signed a treaty that paves the way for the collaborative design and development of a next-generation fighter aircraft by 2035. This significant milestone, achieved just 12 months after the inception of the GCAP program, underscores the program’s momentum and the robust trilateral cooperation among the participating nations.

Ongoing discussions regarding the joint industrial framework to realize GCAP are underway, with representatives from Leonardo, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and BAE Systems recently convening in Tokyo. In September of this year, the industry partners announced a Collaboration Agreement, demonstrating their commitment to ongoing discussions on long-term working arrangements and the maturation of the concept and capability requirements for the next generation combat aircraft.

Herman Claesen, Managing Director of Future Combat Air Systems at BAE Systems’ Air sector, stated, “We welcome the agreement signed by the governments of Italy, Japan, and the UK today, and the continued progress with our industrial partners to advance the future joint business construct that will enable us to deliver the next generation combat aircraft. We’re proud to represent the UK on this exciting and forward-leaning partnership, which will deliver a crucial and affordable defense capability and help to maintain our sovereign combat air skills in the UK.”

Guglielmo Maviglia, Director of the GCAP program at Leonardo, added, “We welcome the announcement made by our governments today and we are proud to be part of the GCAP program along with our partners. GCAP, which will see the development of an innovative next-generation core platform underpinned by advanced technology, is charting a transformational new approach to international industrial collaboration. Through its ambition, the program will maintain the competitiveness of our industries at an international level.”

Hitoshi Shiraishi, Senior Fellow at GCAP, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, remarked, “We would like to very much welcome the signing of the treaty by the governments of Italy, the UK, and Japan. In addition, following the conclusion of this treaty, we would like to work even more closely with our partners in Italy and the UK to promote GCAP. We will also work to ensure that GCAP contributes to strengthening Japan’s defense capabilities.”

Today’s GCAP announcement also revealed that the joint GCAP government headquarters will be based in the UK, with the first CEO hailing from Japan. Furthermore, the future business construct will also have its headquarters in the UK, with the inaugural leader originating from Italy.

GCAP stands as a profoundly significant program, shaping the security, political, and economic prosperity of Italy, Japan, and the UK. It will facilitate knowledge and technology transfer, ultimately delivering essential sovereign combat air capability in each nation for generations to come.

Currently, approximately 9,000 people worldwide are working on GCAP, supported by over 1,000 suppliers across the partner nations.

Media contact:

Charlotte Eccles
Senior Comms Manager, Air
Mobile: +44 (0) 7717 732847

SOURCE: BAE Systems