International defense industries advance collaboration for GCAP Next-Generation Combat Aircraft.

On September 12, 2023, leaders in the defense industries of the United Kingdom, Japan, and Italy entered into a trilateral Collaboration Agreement aimed at advancing the concept phase requirements for the next-generation combat aircraft as part of the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP).

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 The GCAP is an international defense project for a sixth-generation stealth fighter (Picture source: BAE Systems)

GCAP is a strategically important partnership that brings together the efforts of the UK, Japan, and Italy, with the goal of jointly developing a combat aircraft scheduled for deployment in 2035.

The established agreement between BAE Systems (UK), Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (Japan), and Leonardo SpA (Italy) highlights the ongoing cooperation within the initiative. It outlines plans for the industry partners to enhance integration, promote collaboration, and facilitate the exchange of essential information as they move to the next phase of GCAP.

Additionally, this Collaboration Agreement supports ongoing discussions focused on establishing long-term working arrangements and defining the conceptual and capability requirements for the next-generation combat aircraft.

Herman Claesen, Managing Director of Future Combat Air Systems at BAE Systems, expressed his satisfaction with the ongoing engagement with industrial and government partners in Italy and Japan since the launch of GCAP. The Collaboration Agreement signals alignment across all three nations to achieve common goals and objectives in delivering the next-generation combat aircraft.

Guglielmo Maviglia, Director of the GCAP Programme at Leonardo SpA, emphasized the importance of this trilateral collaboration for the program's success. He noted the significance of participation in DSEI London in further strengthening connections among partner companies from Italy, the UK, and Japan.

Hitoshi Shiraishi, Senior Fellow at GCAP, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, conveyed their commitment to the program and willingness to contribute extensive knowledge gained through previous initiatives. Shiraishi emphasized that the Collaboration Agreement represents a significant step towards mutual success and noted the potential benefits of close cooperation with UK and Italian counterparts.

GCAP is an important initiative for the security, political stability, and economic prosperity of each participating nation. Furthermore, it plays a key role in advancing sovereign combat air capabilities through the exchange of knowledge and technology.

The Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) is an international collaborative endeavor led by the United Kingdom, Japan, and Italy, with the primary objective of creating a sixth-generation stealth fighter. The central goal of GCAP is to replace the existing fighter aircraft currently in service with the Royal Air Force, the Italian Air Force, and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. These aircraft include models such as the Eurofighter Typhoon and the Mitsubishi F-2.

This initiative was formally initiated in December 2022 when the governments of the United Kingdom, Japan, and Italy jointly announced their intention to amalgamate their separate sixth-generation fighter projects, specifically the United Kingdom's BAE Systems Tempest and Japan's Mitsubishi F-X, into the unified Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP). Towards the conclusion of 2022, Japan and Sweden also entered into an agreement indicating the potential for future collaboration within this framework.

It's important to note that Saudi Arabia has expressed a desire to join GCAP with backing from British and Italian entities. However, this move has encountered opposition from Japan.

Discussions to consolidate the Tempest and Mitsubishi F-X projects commenced as early as 2017, driven by the aim of reducing developmental costs. This eventually culminated in the decision to incorporate these projects into GCAP in late 2022. Furthermore, the program has been structured to take into account potential export markets, with the aim of reducing per-unit expenses.

Within GCAP, each participating nation designates specific companies to oversee various aspects of the fighter's development. In the United Kingdom, BAE Systems is responsible for the airframe, Rolls-Royce for the engines, Leonardo's UK division for the electronics, and MBDA UK for weapon systems. In Japan, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries serves as the prime contractor, with IHI Corporation handling engine development and Mitsubishi Electric overseeing electronics. In Italy, Leonardo S.p.A. acts as the prime contractor, Avio Aero manages engine-related work, and MBDA IT contributes to missile development.

Looking ahead, the program has laid out a comprehensive timeline. By around 2024, detailed development and cost-sharing agreements among the member companies are expected to be concluded. This paves the way for production, which is anticipated to commence around 2030, with the initial deployment of the new aircraft slated for 2035.