- Canada becomes the first Observer Nation of the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), founded by the UK,?Italy ?and Japan.?
- GCAP ?is designing,?developing ?and building? the next generation?of fighter ?jet ?to ?support ?national? security.?
- Ambitious ?programme ?supports ?thousands of jobs in ?the UK, with? over 600 ?companies up and down the country involved.?
One of the world’s most ambitious defence and industrial partnerships ?is? even ?stronger ?as the UK, ?Italy? and Japan welcome Canada ?to ?the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) as ?the ?first Observer Nation.??
GCAP ?will ?deliver a next generation combat ?aircraft,? designed to ?fight,? win ?and keep the UK fit to face the future.
GCAP is part of the UK’s future combat air system ?which already supports 4,500 jobs in the UK, with thousands more expected to be supported.?Over 600 organisations up and down the UK are in the supply chain, creating skilled jobs and apprenticeships and driving growth in advanced manufacturing and technology sectors.??
Canada will gain direct insight into GCAP, including capability development, industrial? collaboration ?and long-term delivery plans through structured engagement with partner nations.
While? Canada ?won’t? have a? decision-making?role, the move?gives them?privileged? access to the ?programme? and? paves the way for discussions on Canada’s future participation and contribution to GCAP.??
The announcement was made as Defence Secretary Wes Streeting MP hosted his Japanese, Italian and Canadian counterparts?-?Shinjir? Koizumi, Guido Crosetto, and David McGuinty ?–? on his first day in post at?Wellington Barracks in London.??
Prime Minister, Andy Burnham said:
As I said on the steps of Downing Street, we are going to honour our commitments on defence – and use that investment to transform people’s lives.
And we are going to work even more closely with our allies.
So today, we are not just recommitting to our state-of-the-art GCAP fighter programme – but I am delighted to announce that Canada will join the programme as the first Observer Nation.
GCAP is already one of the world’s most ambitious defence and industrial partnerships – supporting 4,500 jobs across the UK. Today’s announcement makes it even stronger.
Defence?Secretary Wes Streeting MP said:?
The first duty of any government is to keep our country safe. That’s why I’m pushing this programme forward on my very first day in the job. GCAP continues to strengthen our security, drive technological innovation and create highly skilled jobs across the UK.???
We are proud to welcome Canada to this new phase of engagement and look forward to sharing expertise and ?working on technological advances?as we continue to deliver this groundbreaking programme.
Involvement in GCAP ?will further? strengthen the UK’s defence cooperation with Canada, building on decades of close collaboration as? Five Eyes?members? and NATO? Allies.
GCAP ?will deliver a sixth-generation? aircraft, designed to?operate ?alongside ?capabilities including the F-35. It will? use ?advanced autonomy, AI, uncrewed ?systems?and next-generation sensors to?maintain ?air superiority against ?ever ?evolving threats.??
This announcement comes? alongside an investment of £8.6 billion into? GCAP over four years?as part of the Defence Investment Plan.
Earlier this month,? the? UK, ?Italy? and Japan? finalised?a £4.6 billion contract with? Edgewing? -? the? industry joint venture? –? to? advance the next stage of the aircraft’s design by? establishing? its key requirements and rigorous testing.??
The work strengthens the UK’s sovereign industrial base, securing skilled good manufacturing jobs, and industries in Italy and Japan.???
GCAP brings together the industrial and technological strengths of all three nations, driving innovation and skills across key areas such as digital engineering, advanced propulsion,?sensors? and data systems, delivering a highly capable future combat air system.??
Since its? inception, GCAP has been founded on the principle that international collaboration delivers significant benefits, demonstrating?how trusted partners can work together to enhance interoperability, strengthen ?security?and deliver a world-leading future combat air capability.?
Canada’s Observer status ?represents ?a significant step in ?GCAP ?as ?an open,?scalable? and internationally relevant partnership, designed to meet the? threats?of the future.