UK, Japan, Italy Launch GCAP Industrial JV
THE Global Combat Air Programme between the United Kingdom, Japan and Italy will be spearheaded by a new business joint venture (JV) comprising the trilateral lead system integrators.
Japan’s Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co Ltd (JAIEC) together with Britain’s BAE Systems and Italy’s Leonardo will each hold a 33.3% share of the company which would design, develop and deliver the sixth-generation future fighter jet. The firm, expected to be up and running by mid-2025 would then be headquartered in the UK with an Italian set to be its first CEO.
Announced on December 13, a joint statement read, “The new JV will be accountable for the design, development and delivery of the next generation fighter aircraft and will remain the design authority for GCAP for the life of the product, which is expected to go out beyond 2070. Leonardo, BAE Systems, and JAIEC, each with a 33.3% shareholding, will bring together their strengths and expertise, marking a pivotal moment for the international Aerospace, Defence and Security industry.”
The new joint venture will have operations and joint teams working in each of the partner nations. It will be headquartered in the UK, to ensure maximum alignment and collaboration with the GCAP International Government Organisation (GIGO) which will also be headquartered in the UK. Both entities will work together to support cost-effective and timely programme delivery, including a 2035 aircraft in-service date. Manufacture and assembly of the aircraft will be subcontracted to BAE Systems, Leonardo and Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI).
BAE Systems CEO Charles Woodburn said, “The new business will bring together the significant strengths and expertise of the companies involved to create an innovative organisation that will lead the way in developing a next generation combat air system, creating long-term, high value and skilled jobs across the partner nations for decades to come.”
His Leonardo counterpart, Roberto Cingolani added,”This partnership not only enhances our technological capabilities but also reinforces our commitment to global security and innovation. Today, we are paving the way for the development of a new era in aircraft systems and multi-domain scenarios, fostering long-term sustainable growth for the economies of the involved countries.”
JAIEC president Kimito Nakae continued, “I acknowledge that the way might not always be simple and straightforward. However, I believe that through continuing the strong spirit of trilateral cooperation and collaboration that we have fostered up to this point, we will not only deliver the GCAP on time but also at a level that exceeds all of our expectations.”
The GCAP fighter would be a common fighter jet between the partner nations, succeeding the Eurofighter Typhoon and Japanese F-2 fighters at the end of their service lives. GCAP’s fate hung in the balance after speculations that the UK’s newly elected government would downgrade or scrap the programme altogether. In November, leaders of the GCAP nations discussed the prospective broadening of the programme to other countries, including Saudi Arabia.-shp/adj/dl (Pix:GCAP)
