Story perspectives

UK, Italy, Japan Sign £4.6bn Edgewing Fighter Contract

7/4/2026

Summary

UK Signs Contract

On 3 July 2026 the UK, Italy and Japan signed a £4.6 billion Edgewing contract for the Combat Air fighter.
The UK Defence Investment Plan pledged £8.6 billion for four years, supporting 4,500 jobs and 600 firms.
The contract funds the next design phase and testing for an aircraft aimed at 2035 service with Typhoons and F-35s.
It earmarks £1.1 billion for Typhoon upgrades, £2.2 billion for new F-35s and £300 million for a UK combat aircraft.

Summary

Edgewing Streamlines Governance

Edgewing acts as the single engineering authority for the UK, Italy and Japan, streamlining governance.
Rolls-Royce, Avio Aero and IHI form the Power and Propulsion Consortium to develop the extended-range engine.
The GCAP Electronics Evolution consortium builds the aircraft’s advanced sensing and communications suite.
The 18-month contract (1 July 2026-31 December 2027) follows the UK Defence Investment Plan, a stability analysts cite as contrasting with the recent collapse of the European FCAS effort.

Summary

Starmer Signs

Prime Minister Keir Starmer signed the UK funding pledge for the Global Combat Air Programme during the Japanese prime minister’s visit, averting a diplomatic walk-out.
Andy Burnham said he will honour the GCAP funding despite the Defence Investment Plan’s £28 billion request, £15 billion receipt and £4.7 billion shortfall.
The plan now needs £10.7 billion in savings to cover the unfunded gap.

History

Historical Context

In January 1998 Eurofighter GmbH, BAE Systems, Airbus and Leonardo signed the first Typhoon production contract, ordering 232 for the UK, 180 for Germany, 121 for Italy and 87 for Spain. The model later inspired the Global Combat Air Programme, linking the UK, Italy and Japan on a sixth-generation fighter with Rolls-Royce, MTU Aero Engines and FiatAvio supplying engines.

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UK Signs Contract

On 3 July 2026 the UK, Italy and Japan signed a £4.6 billion Edgewing contract for the Combat Air fighter.
The UK Defence Investment Plan pledged £8.6 billion for four years, supporting 4,500 jobs and 600 firms.
The contract funds the next design phase and testing for an aircraft aimed at 2035 service with Typhoons and F-35s.
It earmarks £1.1 billion for Typhoon upgrades, £2.2 billion for new F-35s and £300 million for a UK combat aircraft.

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