GCAP Key Points and Summary – The Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), the sixth-generation stealth fighter project between the UK, Italy, and Japan, has taken a major step forward with the creation of “Edgewing,” a new joint venture to manage the aircraft’s design and development.
-The program, which aims to field a fighter by 2035, is also facing a major strategic decision: whether to admit Saudi Arabia as a partner.
GCAP Fighter. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
-Riyadh’s inclusion would bring significant funding but could upset regional dynamics, particularly with Israel, and would mark a significant strategic pivot for Japan, which has historically relied on US military hardware.
GCAP Fighter Moves Ahead
The Global Combat Air Programm, the tripartite venture between Japan, the United Kingdom, and Italy, recently made a major move forward with that sixth-generation fighter program by agreeing to create a joint venture.
The agreement paves the way forward for the GCAP program — even though a fourth country has repeatedly expressed interest in joining the project.
GCAP Fighter in 4 Words: Progress Is Being Made
The three nations recently announced the creation of a design authority for the Global Combat Air Program, which will be responsible for the overall design as well as the development of the jet. The joint venture, called Edgewing, brings together the countries’ respective defense industry aerospace heavyweights, BAE Systems, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and Leonardo.
“Edgewing will be accountable for the design and development of the next generation combat aircraft and will remain the design authority for the life of the product, which is expected to go out beyond 2070,” the three partners explained in a press release.
“The newly formed entity will play a central role in achieving the programme’s ambitious goals—including the in-service date of 2035—while setting a new benchmark for trilateral industrial partnership across Europe and Asia.”
GCAP 6th Generation Fighter.
Although Japan, the United Kingdom, and Italy had already agreed in principle to partner in the development of the Global Combat Air Programm, this joint venture solidifies that agreement into something more concrete and provides an industrial framework for the partnership more broadly.
Though it will be some time still before a GCAP aircraft takes to the skies, Edgewing is a significant step in that direction.
“GCAP is a hugely significant programme for the security and economic prosperity of each nation,” Leonardo explained. “Through effective knowledge and technology transfer, it will help to evolve and build resilient supply chains and deliver important sovereign combat air capability in each nation for generations to come.”
The Saudi Connection to GCAP
Long frozen out of the American-led F-35 program thanks to Washington’s commitment to ensure Israel retains a qualitative edge over its neighbors in the Middle East, Riyadh has sought access to the Global Combat Air Program.
And while the kingdom could bring, if not a wealth of knowledge, then deep pockets to GCAP, there have been reservations about their entry.
Since the end of the Second World War, Japan has relied very heavily on American military assistance, both in the form of boots on the ground as well as American military kit for the Japan Self-Defense Forces.
Japanese pilots operate the F-35, the F-15, and the Mitsubishi F-2, which is based on the American F-16, and turning away from American platforms would be a significant break from the norm.
MORE – A 7th Generation Fighter Is Possible
Israel, too, may be upset by the Saudis joining GCAP. Israel is currently the only country in the Middle East to operate stealth fighters of any kind, and has recently put them to use against Iran, hitting the country in a number of strikes over the past weeks and months.
The strikes took out missile production facilities, air defense sites, and other sensitive military targets, in a real-world combat scenario validation of the F-35’s stealth abilities.
It remains to be seen if Saudi Arabia’s bid to join the Global Combat Air Program will be successful. Much will hinge on whether their deep pockets can offset their relative lack of aerospace expertise relative to the three other GCAP countries.
About the Author: Caleb Larson
Caleb Larson is an American multiformat journalist based in Berlin, Germany. His work covers the intersection of conflict and society, focusing on American foreign policy and European security. He has reported from Germany, Russia, and the United States. Most recently, he covered the war in Ukraine, reporting extensively on the war’s shifting battle lines from Donbas and writing on the war’s civilian and humanitarian toll. Previously, he worked as a Defense Reporter for POLITICO Europe. You can follow his latest work on X.
More Military
The U.S. Navy’s Submarine Crisis Is Real
Terry Moseley
July 14, 2025 at 3:09 pm
I’d have some reservations about collaboration with the repressive Saudi regime – but then at the moment, the USA is nearly as bad.
It would be good to break the US stranglehold in this field, and to hell with genocidal Israel!