Italy has signaled that additional countries could join the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), the multinational effort to develop a sixth-generation fighter aircraft alongside the United Kingdom and Japan.
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said Canada currently appears to be the most interested potential participant, initially as an observer, but added that Italy would also welcome countries such as Germany and Saudi Arabia if they chose to join the program.
Related news
According to Crosetto, expanding the partnership could help distribute development costs among a larger group of nations while increasing the program's industrial and technological base.
GCAP was launched in 2022 through the merger of the British-led Tempest project and Japan's F-X fighter initiative. The program brings together BAE Systems, Leonardo and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement (JAIEC), with entry into service targeted for 2035.
GCAP was formed in 2022 through the merger of the British-led Tempest program and Japan's F-X fighter project. Unlike previous multinational combat aircraft efforts, the program was structured around a more balanced industrial model, with BAE Systems, Leonardo and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries sharing development responsibilities.
The comments come weeks after France and Germany abandoned plans to jointly develop the fighter aircraft at the center of the FCAS initiative. The project collapsed after years of disagreements between Dassault Aviation and Airbus over leadership and industrial responsibilities.
The project had been plagued by years of disputes between Dassault Aviation and Airbus over workshare and control of the future aircraft, with the French manufacturer seeking a dominant role in the program. The collapse of the fighter element leaves GCAP as the only active multinational sixth-generation combat aircraft development effort in Europe.
Recent news
Leonardo Chief Executive Roberto Cingolani recently suggested that Germany could become a valuable GCAP partner due to the country's aerospace and defense expertise.
If additional nations ultimately join the program, GCAP could surpass the Eurofighter Typhoon consortium in terms of participating countries. The current Eurofighter partnership includes the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy and Spain, while a future GCAP structure could potentially extend beyond Europe to include partners from North America, the Middle East and Asia.
The aircraft under development is expected to feature advanced stealth characteristics, artificial intelligence-assisted systems, extensive sensor fusion and the ability to operate alongside uncrewed combat aircraft.
