Canada joins GCAP fighter jet programme as 'observer'

Canada has joined an initiative launched by Britain, Italy and Japan to develop a next-generation fighter jet as an "observer", Britain's defence ministry announced Tuesday.

The Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) programme launched in 2022 aims to develop a supersonic sixth-generation stealth fighter by 2035, replacing the Eurofighter Typhoon used by some European countries.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said in a statement that Canada would "join the programme as the first observer nation", which would make it "even stronger".

Canada will gain "direct insight" into the programme, including into "industrial collaboration" and "long-term delivery plans", the UK government said.

While Canada gets a non-decision-making role, the move "paves the way for discussions on Canada's future participation and contribution to GCAP", it added.

Newly appointed British defence minister Wes Streeting said the agreement would "strengthen the UK's defence cooperation with Canada".

At a press conference after a meeting hosted by Streeting in London, Japanese counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi said Ottawa's participation was "monumental" and would "advance cooperation among our four nations".

Canadian defence minister David McGuinty said this "important milestone" would allow Canada to "deepen its understanding of next-generation combat air capabilities".

The programme gained momentum this month after the three countries allocated £4.6 billion ($6.2 billion) to continue its development.

A joint venture between Britain's BAE Systems, Italy's Leonardo and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co Ltd is developing the aircraft.

Britain has pledged £8.6 billion to GCAP over the next four years in its long-awaited 10-year Defence Investment Plan unveiled at the end of June.

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BAE Systems

Leonardo