Concerns arise regarding the delayed deployment of the next-generation fighter jet, jointly developed by Japan, the UK, and Italy, due to complications in securing public-private contracts in the UK.
The Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), a collaborative development initiative for the next-generation fighter jet involving Japan, the UK, and Italy, is facing potential delays in its planned deployment by 2035. Recently, the contracts that were expected to be finalized by the end of 2025 between government and private entities in the UK have been postponed, creating uncertainty about the timeline for the project's advancement. In a recent press conference following a Japan-UK summit, both Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer reaffirmed their commitment to accelerating the joint development of the fighter jet, highlighting the strategic value of the GCAP partnership for both nations.
