The UK Government has reinforced its commitment to the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), a multinational effort aimed at developing a sixth-generation stealth fighter jet in collaboration with Japan and Italy.
Despite concerns that the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) might delay or deprioritise the programme, Defence Minister Luke Pollard has confirmed that significant progress continues.
During a recent parliamentary session, Pollard mentioned the importance of GCAP, stating:
“Let me be absolutely clear that GCAP is an important programme, as the Prime Minister has stated. That is why the Defence Secretary hosted his Japanese and Italian counterparts within weeks of taking office. Progress continues, alongside the strategic defence review, with more than 3,500 people employed on future combat air.”
He further outlined the Government’s approach to the programme in light of the ongoing SDR:
“The Defence Secretary has clear instructions from the manifesto that Britain is to be better defended with a Labour Government. That is why within two weeks of taking office, the Prime Minister had commissioned Lord Robertson to conduct the strategic defence review. The Prime Minister, the Defence Secretary, and I have all made it clear that GCAP is an important programme. Not only do we have an amazing workforce working on it, but I am pleased to tell the House that last month the UK ratified the GCAP convention, the international treaty that sets up the GCAP International Government Organisation. We will continue to make progress.”
Assurance was also previously given by Maria Eagle MP, who confirmed last month that the UK would invest over £1.3 billion in GCAP and the associated Team Tempest research and development programme during the current financial year.
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GCAP is a joint effort to develop a stealth fighter jet that will replace the Eurofighter Typhoon and Japan’s Mitsubishi F-2. The programme has already seen significant advancements, with work on stealth features, avionics, and weapon systems progressing. A demonstrator aircraft is expected by 2027, showcasing the next generation of air combat capabilities.
During the same session, Chris Evans MP voiced concerns about media reports suggesting the programme might face delays or even cancellation. Pollard responded by ensuring that updates on GCAP’s progress would be shared regularly and that the SDR would not be used as an excuse to slow down the project’s momentum.
He stated: “At a time when our troops and allies are operating in difficult and contested environments, we need to ensure that we invest in the kit that we need. That is what the SDR will set out: the future shape of the UK armed forces.”
Further updates on the SDR are expected in early 2025, which will outline the programme’s trajectory moving forward.
That was actually pretty clear to be honest.
It actually makes me hopeful on such a depressing dank day Jonathan.
This ” slow the project down” business isn’t an option anyway, if the UK took steps to downgrade or delay the program, it would be cancelled, with Japan going their own way and Italy doubling down on F35B work…
‘Significant’ annual GCAP funding will kick in next year.
Quite frankly SDSR25 will be green light go, or cancellation, there is no middle ground.
Cancellation is looking unlikely thank god!!
Let’s crack on. Hopefully better than f35 using latest tech & knowledge but cheaper to maintain. Get this is a long range big payload beast.
Tempest is good for the security of the country. The government will change the borrowing rules to maintain investment in GCAP. It creates hi-tech jobs, generates economic growth and has export potential. Defence is one of 8 industrial sectors identified in the industrial strategy.
I wonder if it would be possible for us to develop GCAP but not order any initial aircraft. Our typhoons only being just outfitted with new Radar and F35B being very new.
Also it seems every time we develop an aircraft we get stuck with a large number of early models that can’t be economically upgraded.
Could we give away early production slots to an export customer.
Only the first one or two F35B can’t be upgraded to the same standard as the others.
I would bet they go to Boscombe for T&E.
The thing with Tempest is that it is a relatively large platform so the big shoehorn isn’t needed. That should make upgrading a lot easier.
Good to hear
I think the thing about all this to bear in mind, and which makes it all so important, is that it’s not just all about a fancy 6th-gen jet. GCA is intended to be a system of systems. Dominate the air, by various and whatever means.
Strictly speaking, naval surface assets will be part of GCA, as will land forces. Anything that can detect, process, and possibly attack or defend – all linked into the one system, instantaneously.