UK open to expanding GCAP as Poland signals interest

The United Kingdom is open in principle to expanding the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) to additional partner nations, Defence Secretary John Healey has indicated, as Poland signals interest in joining the effort.

Speaking to the UK Defence Journal in Edinburgh, Healey did not confirm any discussions with Warsaw but acknowledged that the programme is attracting wider international attention. “We’ve said, in principle, as three nations that we will talk to other nations that have an interest in the GCAP programme… potentially as future partners,” he said.

Polish officials have suggested engagement is already underway. Deputy Minister of State Assets Konrad Gołota told TVP.Info that “there is understanding for our proposal and a willingness to continue discussions” on joining GCAP, adding that he has been in contact with representatives from Italian and Japanese defence industries in recent months.

Healey, however, framed any such engagement as limited and exploratory, stressing that the programme remains firmly centred on its three core partners. “This is a programme with three countries at its core, Japan and Italy alongside the UK,” he said.

“There are already six and a half thousand engineers working on the GCAP programme. It has a real momentum and foundation, which understandably other nations are looking at.”

He said the three nations are willing, in principle, to engage with others, but only at an early stage. “We’ve said, in principle, as three nations that we will talk to other nations that have an interest in the GCAP programme, potentially finding out more, potentially as future partners,” he said.

GCAP, a joint initiative between the UK, Japan and Italy, aims to deliver a sixth-generation combat aircraft by 2035. It is built around a joint venture between the three core industrial partners and a single government programme office.

Healey made clear that his priority is maintaining progress within that existing structure, rather than expanding it. “As Defence Secretary, my first and foremost priority is making sure that the momentum that we’ve got in GCAP, the foundations we’ve already built… is maintained,” he said.

He pointed in particular to the way the programme has been set up across government and industry. “The foundations we’ve already built with a joint venture between the three major companies and a single government programme office…” he said.

That structure, he argued, sets GCAP apart from rival efforts. “That marks out our GCAP programme from other so-called similar sixth generation schemes that other nations may be involved with,” he added.

Poland’s interest comes as it continues to expand defence spending and deepen ties with major Western programmes, while reports suggest it is stepping back from the rival Franco-German-Spanish Future Combat Air System.

The focus from London remains on delivery with the existing three partners, rather than near-term expansion.

Edgewing joint venture launched to deliver future fighter

GCAP

The Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) is a joint effort by the United Kingdom, Italy, and Japan to develop a sixth-generation stealth fighter, often referred to as Tempest. The aircraft is intended to replace the Eurofighter Typhoon in UK and Italian service and the Mitsubishi F-2 in Japan. The programme reflects a shared requirement for an advanced, multirole combat aircraft capable of operating in highly contested environments from the mid-2030s onward.

GCAP was formally launched in December 2022, when the three governments agreed to merge the UK-Italian Tempest project with Japan’s F-X programme. This was solidified through a treaty signed in Japan in December 2023. The effort brings together major industrial partners including BAE Systems, Leonardo, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, under a new international framework designed to coordinate development and delivery.

The programme already involves around 6,000 personnel and more than 1,000 suppliers across the three partner nations, with a significant industrial footprint in each. A central joint venture, named Edgewing, was established to manage design, development, and long-term delivery of the aircraft. Each national partner holds an equal stake, with workshare distributed across multiple sites, while certain core technology areas are led by designated nations.

Development started recently, with a flying demonstrator planned for 2027 and entry into service targeted for 2035. Alongside the core aircraft, multiple test platforms are being used to mature technologies, including the UK-led Tempest demonstrator and the Excalibur flying testbed. Italy and Japan are also pursuing their own test aircraft to support sensor, avionics, and systems integration work.