The United Kingdom, Italy, and Japan have awarded a $6.14 billion contract to a joint venture for the development of a new stealth fighter jet. BAE Systems, Leonardo, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will collaborate on the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP), aiming to deliver an advanced aircraft by 2035 capable of countering future threats.

This new contract covers the advanced concept and assessment phase, allowing for detailed design and development. The three nations are jointly funding the program through an international agency, a move designed to share costs and technological advantages. Masami Oka, chief executive of the GCAP Agency, stated the funding assures the program's future and boosts global security.

This development contrasts sharply with the stalled Franco-German Future Combat Air System (FCAS) program, which faced significant disagreements between partners like Airbus and Dassault Aviation, leading to Germany's withdrawal. The GCAP's progress signals a more stable international defense collaboration, providing a clear path forward for its industrial partners.

The trilateral joint venture, Edgewing, holds roughly equal stakes among the three primary contractors. This 18-month contract signifies a concrete step toward realizing a next-generation combat aircraft designed to maintain aerial superiority for decades.