Edgewing, the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) prime contractor and design authority, has secured a 4.6-billion-pound ($6.1 billion) contract to drive the next phase of the trinational fighter jet’s development.
Launched in June 2025, Edgewing is a joint venture between BAE Systems, Leonardo, and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement.
The GCAP Agency, which manages the program on behalf of the UK, Italy, and Japan, awarded the 18-month contract, which covers the completion of the advanced concept and assessment phase, as well as further joint detailed design and development.
The deal comes after the first contract, valued at 686 million pounds ($908 million), was awarded to Edgewing in April for the aircraft’s initial design and engineering work.
“This momentum is being driven by our disruptive new model of defence collaboration: the first time that three countries have come together to create a single engineering prime, working on behalf of our national industries, with a single empowered customer,” said Marco Zoff, Edgewing CEO.
Trinational Stealth Fighter
Italy, Japan, and the UK collaborated to launch the GCAP in 2022 to develop a sixth-generation stealth fighter jet, featuring complex digital engineering and artificial intelligence.
The initiative aims to replace the Eurofighter Typhoons used by the Royal Air Force and the Italian Air Force, as well as the aging Mitsubishi F-2 multi-role fighter in service with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.
The aircraft is targeted to enter service by 2035.
Several other countries have expressed interest in possibly joining the initiative, including Canada and Saudi Arabia, to share the cost and contribute technological expertise.
However, no additional countries have been admitted yet, with Tokyo previously cautioning that having another member during the program’s early stages could delay the program’s progress.
