The UK will work with Italy and Japan to adapt and respond to the security threats of the future, through an unprecedented international aerospace coalition announced by the Prime Minister on 9 December.

This is reported on the official page of the Ministry of Defense of United Kingdom.

The Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) is a new partnership and ambitious endeavour between the UK, Japan and Italy to deliver the next generation of combat air fighter jets.

It is planned to take the first fighter to the skies by 2035. The ambition is to develop a next-generation jet enhanced by a network of capabilities such as uncrewed aircraft, advanced sensors, cutting-edge weapons and innovative data systems.

By combining forces with Italy and Japan on the next phase of the program, the UK will utilise their expertise, share costs and ensure the RAF remains interoperable with our closest partners. The project is expected to create high-skilled jobs in all three countries, strengthening their industrial base and driving innovation with benefits beyond pure military use.

“The international partnership we have announced today with Italy and Japan aims to do just that, underlining that the security of the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions are indivisible. The next-generation of combat aircraft we design will protect us and our allies around the world by harnessing the strength of our world-beating defence industry – creating jobs while saving lives,” said UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

The new combat aircraft developed under the GCAP program is expected to replace the fourth-generation Typhoon when it comes out of service.

It is anticipated that more likeminded countries may buy into GCAP in due course or collaborate on wider capabilities – boosting UK exports. The combat aircraft developed through GCAP is also expected to be compatible with other NATO partners’ fighter jets.

Previously, Militarnyi reported on the official confirmation by the British government of an agreement with Japan on the development of an engine for a new generation fighter.

Work on the project was scheduled to begin in 2022. Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries were to undertake the development of the promising engine.

In the first phase of the project, Britain plans to invest 30 million pounds in planning and digital design, and then another 200 million pounds to create an engine prototype.