‘EXPORT POTENTIAL’:
The plan follows the establishment of the Global Combat Air Programme between the British, Italian and Japanese governments in December 2022

Plans to develop a sixth-generation UK fighter jet to rival the US’ have taken a step forward with a deal to form a new company comprising defense and aerospace firms from the UK, Italy and Japan.

BAE Systems, Italy’s Leonardo and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co (JAIEC), which each hold one-third of the as-yet-unnamed joint venture expected to be established by the middle of next year.

“The new business will bring together the significant strengths and expertise of the companies involved to create an innovative organization that will lead the way in developing a next-generation combat air system,” said Charles Woodburn, chief executive of BAE Systems, whose profits have soared to record levels due to the war in Ukraine and conflict in the Middle East.

Photo: Reuters

The new company would be responsible for the design, development and delivery of the aircraft, which has a target date of coming into service in 2035.

The firms involved called the establishment of the joint venture a “pivotal moment” for the international aerospace and defense industry.

The headquarters would be based in the UK, with the first chief executive to come from Italy, and operations and joint teams working in each of the partner nations.

“This agreement is the result of an intensive journey made possible by pooling our mutual and shared experience,” Leonardo chief executive Roberto Cingolani said.

“This partnership not only enhances our technological capabilities but also reinforces our commitment to global security and innovation,” he added.

The plan follows the establishment of the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) in 2022, which brought together the UK, Italian and Japanese governments and weapons makers to develop an aircraft with “significant long-term export potential.”

BAE Systems builds the Eurofighter Typhoon at its factories in northern England in collaboration with France, Germany and Spain, and makes parts for the F-35, made by the US defense giant Lockheed Martin.

The GCAP venture could also be expanded to include Saudi Arabia. “The deal we have with Britain and Japan … I think will now be extended to Saudi Arabia,” Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani said recently.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer recently visited the kingdom, where he met the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman and discussed investment in the UK.

JAIEC president Kimito Nakae said: “As we now embark upon the exciting and important journey towards the success of GCAP, I acknowledge that the way might not always be simple and straightforward.”

“However, we will not only deliver the GCAP on time but also at a level that exceeds all of our expectations,” he added.