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🇸🇬 Singapore /Conflict & Security

GCAP fighter jet timeline unchanged by new country joining, CEO says

From The Straits Times · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • The Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) fighter jet, set for service by 2035, will maintain its timeline even if new countries join, according to the joint venture's CEO.
  • Canada is expected to join as an observer, with official announcements pending, as European defense alliances shift following a Franco-German program's collapse.
  • The program, involving Britain, Italy, and Japan, aims to counter perceived threats from China's military expansion, with Japan particularly keen on the 2035 target.

Plans for the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) fighter jet to enter service by 2035 remain firm, regardless of potential new member nations joining the British, Italian, and Japanese initiative. Marco Zoff, CEO of the Edgewing joint venture responsible for designing the aircraft, emphasized this commitment.

Speculation about expanding the program has intensified following the collapse of a rival Franco-German fighter project in June, creating flux in European defense alliances. Canada is reportedly nearing a deal to become an observer, a step that requires no financial commitment and is expected to be announced soon. This move aligns with Canada's desire to diversify its defense spending beyond the U.S.

There is such pressure and such direction from our three governments to keep the timing strict and to deliver that I think we will find a way to accommodate (...) not jeopardizing the final timeline.

— Marco ZoffThe CEO of Edgewing on maintaining the GCAP fighter jet's timeline despite potential new partners.

Zoff stated that the strong directive from the three partner governments to adhere strictly to the timeline makes accommodating new partners without jeopardizing the schedule feasible. "There is such pressure and such direction from our three governments to keep the timing strict and to deliver that I think we will find a way to accommodate (...) not jeopardizing the final timeline," he told reporters at the Farnborough Airshow.

Japan, viewing China's military expansion as a significant security threat, is particularly anxious to meet the 2035 service date, coinciding with the planned retirement of its F-2 fighters. While Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi stressed the importance of partnerships in a speech, he did not directly address the timeline. The Edgewing venture, jointly owned by BAE Systems, Leonardo, and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement, recently secured a substantial contract from the three nations. Italy's defense minister has suggested that a new partner could help share the considerable costs, with Germany and Saudi Arabia also expressing interest.

We're basically doing things quicker in respect to the standard times of industrial defence.

— Marco ZoffZoff describing the accelerated pace of the GCAP project.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Straits Times in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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