The Defence Committee has released a report on the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), acknowledging its potential while stressing the importance of meeting its ambitious in-service target date of 2035.
GCAP, a collaboration between the UK, Japan, and Italy, aims to design, manufacture, and deliver a next-generation crewed combat aircraft.
With increasing pressures on the defence budget, the Committee emphasised the need for strict cost control and transparency. It urged the Government to adopt a multi-year funding approach to provide stability and instil confidence among international partners.
“There must be transparency around the programme’s budget, and information on costs should be made available to Parliament and the public as GCAP proceeds,” the report noted.
The report highlighted the critical importance of maintaining a skilled workforce, especially transitioning those working on Typhoon production to GCAP. With the Typhoon’s production winding down and Tempest’s full-scale production yet to begin, workforce retention is a significant challenge.
“The MOD should work with those skilled workers, including those currently working on Typhoon, to bring them onto GCAP,” said Chair of the Defence Committee, Tan Dhesi MP. He added that the failure to fully leverage the success of the Hawk trainer aircraft was “remarkably short-sighted and deeply regrettable.”
The Committee described the 2035 target as ambitious, calling for empowered delivery structures to ensure timely and decisive action throughout the programme.
“GCAP must break the mould of multilateral defence programmes often plagued by soaring costs and delays,” Dhesi stated. “We have a window of opportunity now, at this early stage, to make choices that set the programme on the right track.”
Dhesi underscored the strategic importance of GCAP: “The world is an increasingly volatile and dangerous place, and new air power capabilities – such as those promised by GCAP – will be essential if we are to meet the challenges ahead.”
He concluded by emphasising the role of the workforce: “The UK’s proud history in combat air manufacturing is rooted in its workforce: it’s people that will be key to the success of GCAP, and the MOD must ensure that they are prioritised.”
Despite this, the report sets out several positives about the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), including:
- International Collaboration:
The partnership between the UK, Japan, and Italy is praised as a significant step forward in international defence collaboration. The Defence Committee notes the depth of Japan’s and Italy’s commitment and technical capabilities, which inspire confidence in the programme. - Strengthening National Sovereignty:
GCAP is positioned as a critical programme for retaining the UK’s national sovereignty in combat air, ensuring the country maintains a vital military capability in an increasingly volatile global environment. - Economic Opportunities:
The programme is seen as a driver for industrial growth, providing opportunities to deepen relationships with allies and strengthen defence industrial capacity. The Defence Committee acknowledges the potential for the UK’s defence industry to attract new talent and capitalise on the technological advancements tied to GCAP. - Commitment to Timely Delivery:
The early recognition by all partners of the importance of avoiding delays is a positive sign. Lessons learned from past programmes, such as Typhoon, appear to be informing better decision-making processes. - Future-Proofing Capability:
The report highlights that GCAP aims to integrate advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and Autonomous Collaborative Platforms (ACPs), ensuring the system remains adaptable to future operational and technological changes. - Skilled Workforce Development:
While workforce retention is flagged as a challenge, GCAP offers a significant opportunity to attract and train new talent, ensuring the long-term viability of the UK’s combat air sector.
These positives demonstrate that, despite the challenges, GCAP has the potential to provide both strategic and economic benefits
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