The United Kingdom’s BAE Systems, Italy’s Leonardo and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement have agreed to establish a joint venture to support the Global Combat Air Programme, or GCAP.
The three companies said the partnership will primarily support the development of the next-generation warplane envisioned under the GCAP trilateral cooperation between the United Kingdom, Italy and Japan established in December 2022.
The JV will have operating teams in each partner country and maintain a U.K.-based headquarters to maximize collaborative work with the GCAP International Government Organisation, or GIGO, which will also operate in the United Kingdom.
Aircraft Delivery Goal
GIGO and the joint venture will partner for a timely and cost-effective program delivery, including aircraft in-service by 2035. The JV’s tasks cover aircraft design and development up to the delivery of the warplane and its expected lifetime.
According to Leonardo, the new company is expected to be formed by mid-2025, with the first CEO coming from Italy. It added that the GCAP aircraft production and assembly will be subcontracted to the joint venture partners and the supply chain.
Roberto Cingolani, Leonardo CEO and general manager, sees the JV as ushering in “a new era in aircraft systems” and promoting sustainable economic growth in the partner countries. “This partnership not only enhances our technological capabilities but also reinforces our commitment to global security and innovation,” he said.