GCAP industry partners ink agreement to form joint organisation
Design, development, manufacturing and production on the programme will be evenly split across all nations. (Photo: BAE Systems)
A new company will be established under the industry-led joint venture by mid-2025, headquartered in the UK.
The long-awaited industry-led joint venture for the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) has finally been signed, officials from all three companies have announced.
The UK’s BAE Systems, Italy’s Leonardo and Japan’s JAIEC – the three companies in the next-generation combat aircraft initiative – will form a new company, and will be responsible for the design, development and delivery of the next-generation combat aircraft. The manufacturing and final assembly of the aircraft will be subcontracted to BAE Systems, Leonardo and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI).
The new company is expected to be established by mid-2025. It will be headquartered in the UK,
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Air Warfare
-
![Could the next UAS market boom take place beyond the battlefield?]()
Could the next UAS market boom take place beyond the battlefield?
While the headlines remain dominated by the use of drones for combat operations in Ukraine and other conflicts, there are emerging use cases where the technology could usefully feed back into areas and missions outside the war zone.
-
![USAF eyes sensor and weapon upgrades as MH-139A Grey Wolf achieves IOC]()
USAF eyes sensor and weapon upgrades as MH-139A Grey Wolf achieves IOC
The Grey Wolf has entered operational service nearly three years later than originally planned, while new sustainment contracts indicate that some UH-1Ns could remain supported until 2031.
-
![Singapore’s interest in GCAP reflects its long-term approach to air power]()
Singapore’s interest in GCAP reflects its long-term approach to air power
A potential interest in joining GCAP is indicative of Singapore’s long-term and methodical approach to defence procurement and could benefit its local defence industry.
-
![Extending mission readiness: where XR adds real value in pilot, crew and maintenance training]()
Extending mission readiness: where XR adds real value in pilot, crew and maintenance training
Extended reality (XR) is becoming increasingly relevant in military aviation training, adding a flexible layer to an integrated ecosystem spanning the pilot, crew, and maintenance domains.
