G7 nations accelerate 6th‑gen fighter jet project to 2035
The GCAP (Global Combat Air Programme) needs to accelerate. France, Italy, and Japan made this decision during the recent ministers' meeting at the G7 summit in Naples. The countries expect the new 6th-generation fighter jet to take to the skies for the first time in 2035. It is anticipated to provide significant air superiority, surpassing the capabilities of existing solutions. What do we know about the GCAP program?
The latest progress within the GCAP program was discussed during the meeting between British Secretary of Defense John Haley, Italian Minister of Defense Crosetto, and Japanese Minister of Defense Gen Nakatani at the G7 Defence Ministers' Summit in Naples.
The politicians also announced that a trilateral government organization—GIGO (GCAP International Government Organization)—will be established by the end of 2024 to oversee the development of new-generation fighter jets. They confirmed plans to finalize the first public-private contract by next year, aiming to deploy the aircraft by 2035.
fighter jet of the future program
The GCAP program is a response to the growing threats from China, Russia, and North Korea. The governments of the United Kingdom, Italy, and Japan, along with their main industry partners, British BAE Systems, Italian Leonardo, and Japanese Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, have been engaged since December 2022 in developing fighter jets that combine the latest advances in technology (including stealth technology) and science, alongside the expertise and resources of their partners.
The new machines are expected to replace the retired Japanese F-2 fighter jets, developed in collaboration between Tokyo and Washington, as well as the Eurofighter Typhoon jets, created in cooperation with the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, and Germany, which remain in service with the Italian and British air forces. The countries do not rule out the possibility of other allies, including the United States, whose own 6th-generation fighter development program NGAD (Next Generation Air Dominance) remains uncertain, joining the program in the future.
The fighters being developed by France, Italy, and Japan under the GCAP program differ somewhat from the American focus in NGAD. Analysts mainly point out the timeline. With GCAP, the new fighter jet is planned to take flight in 2035, while the American program aims for 2030—five years earlier. Additionally, the aircraft developed by the French, Japanese, and Italians are expected to be slightly larger, have greater range, and feature two engines to respond to the specific combat needs of their regions.
Participants in the GCAP program believe that the developed fighter jet will be one of the most advanced, interoperable, flexible, and connected fighters in service. According to the announcements, it will be equipped with an intelligent weapon system, a software-driven interactive cockpit, integrated sensors, and a powerful next-generation radar that can provide 10,000 times more data than current systems, giving it a significant advantage in combat.
