Canada to Observe Global Combat Air Programme, Boosting Role in Sixth‑Gen Fighter Development

Canada will join the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) as the first observer nation, according to a statement from the UK Ministry of Defence. The status, announced after a meeting in London of defence ministers from the United Kingdom, Japan, Italy and Canada, gives Ottawa direct visibility on the programme’s capability development, industrial collaboration and long‑term delivery plans, and opens discussions about future full participation.

GCAP, led by the UK, Italy and Japan, aims to produce a sixth‑generation fighter aircraft by 2035 to replace the Eurofighter Typhoon in the UK and Italy and the Mitsubishi F‑2 in Japan. The partnering firms Leonardo, BAE Systems and JAIE have formed the Edgewing joint venture, which received a €5.3 billion contract for detailed design and development. The three founding nations have also signed a £4.6 billion contract with Edgewing, while the UK will invest £8.6 billion over four years as part of its ten‑year defence plan.