UK enters treaty for stealth fighter jet programme

Insider Media UK has shared the following article.

The UK has signed an international treaty with Japan and Italy for a future combat air programme that aims to develop an innovative stealth fighter. The programme will have a UK-based headquarters which will support hundreds of jobs.

The treaty marks a key stage of the landmark Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP).

This combat air aircraft, due to take to the skies by 2035, aims to harness next-generation technologies and become one of the world's most advanced, interoperable, adaptable and connected fighter jets in service.

Within the UK, the effort is being led by BAE Systems, in close partnership with Rolls-Royce, Leonardo UK and MBDA UK – as well as hundreds of companies in the supply chain from across the country. Together, they are working closely with lead companies from Japan and Italy to progress the design and development of this aircraft. 

Advertisement
Defence secretary Grant Shapps said: "Our world-leading combat aircraft programme aims to be crucial to global security and we continue to make hugely positive progress toward delivery of the new jets to our respective air forces in 2035. 

"The UK-based headquarters will also see us make important decisions collaboratively and at pace, working with our close partners Italy and Japan, and our impressive defence industries, to deliver an outstanding aircraft."

Shapps met with his Japanese and Italian counterparts, minister Minoru Kihara and minister Guido Crosetto, in Tokyo. The signing of the Treaty comes a year after the formal launch of GCAP. The joint development phase of the programme is due to launch in 2025. 

While the UK will host the joint GCAP government headquarters, supporting hundreds of UK jobs and working with Japanese and Italian colleagues, the first chief executive will come from Japan.

There are already about 3,000 people in major combat air hubs across the UK, including the South West and North West of England and Edinburgh.

Separately, a new joint business construct will be headquartered in the UK, with significant global presence. This industry counterpart of the Government organisation will oversee support and delivery of the programme, including the 2035 in-service date of the combat aircraft – known as Tempest in the UK. The first leader of the joint business construct will be from Italy.

You can read more of the article here.