Ministers of defence from Japan, the United Kingdom, and Italy held a trilateral video meeting to move from political declarations to the practical implementation of the GCAP programme — a joint project to develop a next‑generation fighter jet, Japan’s Defence Ministry reported.
During the talks, the sides agreed to sign the first contract between the intergovernmental organisation GIGO and the Edgewing consortium. The aircraft being developed under the programme is expected to replace the current Eurofighter Typhoon and Mitsubishi F‑2.
According to the basic concept, it will be a low‑observable fighter with a delta wing, long operational range, and an internal weapons bay. It will be equipped with next‑generation sensors and systems enabling it to control drones within a unified combat network.
The development of the fighter will be carried out by Edgewing, a consortium that includes BAE Systems, Italy’s Leonardo, and Japan’s JAIEC. The group has been tasked with moving the project from concept to testing and production. Its headquarters will be located in Reading, United Kingdom. The first contract with the intergovernmental GIGO structure is expected to be signed by the end of the year, and serial production is planned to begin by 2035.
