The Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) sixth-generation fighter project is advancing to its next development stage with a new boost of funding by partners Italy, Japan, and the UK, running through to the end of 2027.
Announced on Jul. 3, 2026, the huge new contract will provide for the next steps in finalising the design requirements and capabilities of the next generation aircraft. It follows on from the initial contract award of £686 million to Edgewing – the joint venture that acts as the overall contractor and design authority – in April 2026, bridging the gap to this new contract.
Funded by all three GCAP partners – the United Kingdom, Italy, and Japan – the contract announcement comes just days after the release of the UK’s Defence Investment Plan (DIP). The DIP committed to ongoing funding for GCAP, specifying £8.6 billion of UK funding for the programme over the next four years. Portions of this are likely intended towards the UK-funded elements of the project, which include the Excalibur flight test aircraft and the Combat Air Flying Demonstrator due to be ready for flight by the end of 2027.
#GCAP has taken another huge step forward today with a new £4.6 billion contract to support the delivery of a next-gen stealth fighter.
Find out more about what this latest milestone means for our partner nationshttps://t.co/cELnhn4qJt
🇮🇹🇯🇵🇬🇧 @edgewing pic.twitter.com/ZOu6gZ5JsF
— GCAP (@GCAP_int) July 3, 2026
Rumors of a new contract award to Edgewing ahead of this year’s Farnborough International Airshow (Jul. 20-24) had swirled around the defence industry in recent days and weeks. Undoubtedly, Edgewing and the various partner contractors will have more announcements to make at this year’s edition of the show where, in 2024, we got our first look at a full scale mockup of the proposed fighter.
The UK’s Minister of State for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard MP, said: “The Global Combat Air Programme will give our pilots a cutting-edge stealth fighter jet. Signing this £4.6 billion contract alongside Italy and Japan is a major step forward towards delivery. This milestone strengthens our partnership with international allies, supports thousands of highly skilled jobs across the UK, and will give the RAF the tools they need to keep the UK safe, all backed by an £8.6bn commitment in the Defence Investment Plan.”
Japan, which previously expressed concern over the UK’s resolve to fund the project, is reported by local media to be relieved by the new announcement.
We are proud to announce the signing of the second joint international contract, worth £4.6 billion, enabling the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) to forge forwards.https://t.co/CHZ2xSJTHN pic.twitter.com/KAdEGYZtOD
— Edgewing (@EdgewingLtd) July 3, 2026
“I am delighted to sign this international contract on behalf of the three GCAP nations – Italy, Japan and the UK. It will enable the GCAP Agency and Edgewing to continue making huge progress in all areas of delivery. The programme is vital for global security and defeating future threats, while sharing costs, technological advantages and creating highly skilled jobs in all three nations,” remarked Masami Oka, GCAP Agency Chief Executive.
“With this long-term funding, the future of GCAP has never been more assured. I am excited about what we will achieve over the next 18 months and the opportunities we can create to grow the programme further,” he added.
