Canada has joined an initiative launched by Britain, Italy, and Japan to develop a next-generation fighter jet as an “observer,” Britain’s defense ministry announced Tuesday.
The Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) launched in 2022 aims to develop a supersonic sixth-generation stealth fighter by 2035, replacing the Eurofighter Typhoon used by some European countries.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said in a statement that Canada would “join the program as the first observer nation,” which would make it “even stronger.”
Canada will gain “direct insight” into the program, including into “industrial collaboration” and “long-term delivery plans,” the UK government said.
While Canada gets a non-decision-making role, the move “paves the way for discussions on Canada’s future participation and contribution to GCAP,” it added.
Newly appointed British defense minister Wes Streeting said the agreement would “strengthen the UK’s defense cooperation with Canada.”
At a press conference after a meeting hosted by Streeting in London, Japanese counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi said Ottawa’s participation was “monumental” and would “advance cooperation among our four nations.”
Canadian defense minister David McGuinty said this “important milestone” would allow Canada to “deepen its understanding of next-generation combat air capabilities.”
The program gained momentum this month after the three countries allocated 4.6 billion pounds ($6.2 billion) to continue its development.
A joint venture between Britain’s BAE Systems, Italy’s Leonardo and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co Ltd is developing the aircraft.
Britain has pledged 8.6 billion pounds ($11.5 billion) to GCAP over the next four years in its long-awaited 10-year Defence Investment Plan unveiled at the end of June.
