On 3 July 2026 the second joint international contract was awarded for the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP): the next-generation fighter aircraft development programme between Italy, Japan and the UK.

The GBP 4.6 billion (EUR 5.37 billion) contract will enable completion of the advanced concept and assessment phase of the programme, along with further joint detailed design and development work.

The 18-month contract has been awarded by the GCAP Agency, which manages GCAP on behalf of the three governments, to Edgewing: the trinational prime contractor and design authority for the GCAP aircraft.
“This contract award marks another significant milestone for the programme, underlining the pace of progress and reinforcing GCAP as a flagship example of innovative defence collaboration,” Edgewing stated in a press release. “Jointly funded by the three nations, the contract will drive the next phase of key design and engineering activity for the programme. This long-term investment reflects confidence, unity and forward momentum in this highly important defence partnership.”

This is the second joint international contract awarded by the GCAP Agency to Edgewing, following an initial GBP 686 million contract that was placed in April 2026.

GCAP, launched in 2022, aims to deliver a stealthy next-generation fighter equipped with cutting-edge technologies, supporting sovereign industries across the partner nations. The aircraft is expected to be delivered by 2035 and is intended to have the capabilities required to secure advantage in the most demanding operating environments.