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,
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
![Nuclear “Manhattan Project-type endeavour” plausible for AI advancement, says UK Chief of Defence Staff]()
Nuclear “Manhattan Project-type endeavour” plausible for AI advancement, says UK Chief of Defence Staff
Admiral Sir Tony Radakin also urged caution over a “drone-tastic” way of thinking when it comes to their use alongside traditional air and underwater domain platforms.
-
![Teal Drones delivers first Black Widows as parent company reports six-month loss]()
Teal Drones delivers first Black Widows as parent company reports six-month loss
In July 2025 Teal Drones was awarded Tranche 2 of the US Army’s Short Range Reconnaissance (SRR) programme for a small uncrewed aerial system (sUAS).
-
![Elbit Systems discloses Iron Beam update and work on laser solution for IAF]()
Elbit Systems discloses Iron Beam update and work on laser solution for IAF
In its Q2 earnings call, the company said it has internal targets set for similar double-digit growth for 2026, as it welcomed a 21% boost in 2025 profits so far compared to 2024.
