Airframer news
09/04/2026
The international venture GCAP will deliver a next-generation stealth combat aircraft, supporting defence industries across the UK, Italy and Japan to address evolving global threats.
The Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) has awarded its first joint international contract, placing £686 million of design and engineering work with Edgewing, the tri-national joint venture leading development.
The agreement, issued by the GCAP Agency on behalf of the UK, Italy and Japan, consolidates work previously managed under separate national contracts into a unified international structure. The move is intended to increase coordination and accelerate delivery timelines.
“This contract is an important moment for GCAP, as activities previously conducted under three nations’ contracts will now be carried out as part of a fully-fledged international programme.” says Masami Oka, GCAP’s Agency Chief Executive.
“The pace at which Edgewing and the GCAP Agency have ramped up, and are now operating, has been made possible through our shared purpose and strength of collaboration. We are proud to carry this momentum forward.” adds Marco Zoff, Chief Executive Officer at Edgewing GCAP.
Launched in 2022, GCAP is developing a next-generation stealth combat aircraft designed to address evolving global threats while supporting domestic industrial capabilities in each partner nation.
Edgewing, established by BAE Systems, Leonardo and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement, is responsible for design and development and will act as design authority throughout the aircraft’s lifecycle.
The company is headquartered in the UK and is expanding operations across all three countries, with teams focused on engineering, certification and airworthiness activities.