The Ministry of Defence and Luke Pollard MP confirmed a £4.6 billion contract with Italy and Japan to advance design and development of the Global Combat Air Programme’s next-generation fighter aircraft.
The contract was signed on 3 July 2026 and awarded through the GCAP Agency to Edgewing, an industry joint venture involved in the programme. The aircraft is targeted to enter service from 2035 as part of a trilateral defence programme between the UK, Japan and Italy.
The announcement follows the Defence Investment Plan, which confirmed that the UK will invest £8.6 billion in the programme over four years. The Ministry of Defence said the work will support RAF capability, advanced manufacturing and skilled jobs across Britain.
Global Combat Air Programme Moves Into Next Phase
The £4.6 billion contract marks the next stage of the Global Combat Air Programme, known as GCAP. The programme is designed to develop a sixth-generation combat aircraft for the UK, Japan and Italy.
The aircraft is planned to enter service from 2035 and form part of the UK’s future combat air system. The Ministry of Defence said the contract will help establish the aircraft’s requirements and support testing during the design phase.
- Programme: Global Combat Air Programme between the UK, Japan and Italy.
- Contract: £4.6 billion awarded through the GCAP Agency to Edgewing.
- Target: Next-generation combat aircraft planned for service from 2035.
UK Defence Investment Supports Programme
The contract follows the Defence Investment Plan, which set out an £8.6 billion UK commitment to GCAP over four years. The plan places the programme within a wider defence investment package for air capability.
The wider Defence Investment Plan also includes funding for Typhoon upgrades, additional F-35 aircraft and early development of a UK autonomous combat aircraft. These measures are intended to support the RAF’s future mix of crewed and autonomous systems.
Defence Investment Summary
| Area | Value | Context |
|---|---|---|
| GCAP | £8.6 billion | UK funding over four years. |
| Typhoon | Over £1.1 billion | Upgrade and sustainment into the 2040s. |
| F-35 | £2.2 billion | New purchases to expand the fleet. |
| Autonomous aircraft | £300 million | Initial UK development funding. |
Future RAF Aircraft And Technology
The GCAP aircraft is expected to operate alongside Typhoons, F-35s and autonomous systems as part of a next-generation Royal Air Force. According to the department, the aircraft will incorporate digital engineering, artificial intelligence and advanced mission systems.
The programme also includes work on advanced propulsion, sensors and data systems. The department said GCAP has already supported progress in UK digital engineering and advanced manufacturing.
- RAF role: Future aircraft to operate with Typhoon, F-35 and autonomous systems.
- Engineering: Digital design methods used to support development and testing.
- Technology: AI, sensors and data systems included in the programme.
Industrial Benefits And UK Jobs
Officials said the programme already supports around 4,500 jobs across the UK and a supply chain involving approximately 600 organisations. The department said the programme strengthens the UK’s sovereign industrial base and supports skilled manufacturing jobs.
GCAP Industrial Measures
| Indicator | Figure | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Jobs | 4,500 | Supported across the UK. |
| Supply chain | About 600 | Organisations involved in the work. |
| Partner nations | Three | UK, Japan and Italy. |
| Service target | 2035 | Planned aircraft entry point. |
Ministerial Comments
Luke Pollard MP, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry said;
“The Global Combat Air Programme will give our pilots a cutting-edge stealth fighter jet. Signing this £4.6 billion contract alongside Italy and Japan is a major step forward towards delivery.”
“This milestone strengthens our partnership with international allies, supports thousands of highly skilled jobs across the UK, and will give the RAF the tools they need to keep the UK safe, all backed by an £8.6bn commitment in the Defence Investment Plan.”
The contract moves the Global Combat Air Programme into its next design phase while reinforcing long-term defence cooperation between the UK, Japan and Italy. Alongside supporting future RAF capability, the programme is intended to strengthen Britain’s advanced aerospace manufacturing base and prepare the next generation of combat aircraft for service from 2035.
Sources: Ministry of Defence and Luke Pollard MP.
Prepared by Ivan Alexander Golden, Founder of THX News, an independent news organisation delivering timely insights from global official sources. Combines AI-analysed research with human-edited accuracy and context.
