Aircraft
Japan Joins Forces with UK and Italy for Future Fighter
Growing industrial cooperation between the two future fighter teams has led to a more formal collaborative approach between the Tempest and F-X programs.
GCAP Tempest
The current concept for the Tempest aircraft was unveiled at the Farnborough air show in July. (Photo: BAE Systems)

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has launched the first major phase of a collaborative program between Italy, Japan, and the UK that will develop the next generation of fighter jets for the three nations. Known as the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), the project builds on the development work already performed by the Anglo-Italian Team Tempest, and Japan’s F-X program.

“The security of the United Kingdom, both today and for future generations, will always be of paramount importance to this government," said Sunak. “That’s why we need to stay at the cutting-edge of advancements in defense technology—outpacing and out-maneuvering those who seek to do us harm. The international partnership we have announced today with Italy and Japan aims to do just that, underlining that the security of the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions are indivisible.”