UK, Italy, Japan Secure £4.6 bn Contract to Advance Sixth-Generation GCAP Fighter

On 3 July 2026 the GCAP Agency awarded Edgewing a £4.6 bn, 18-month contract to complete the advanced-concept and assessment phase and begin detailed design of the sixth-generation GCAP fighter. The contract follows a £686 m stop-gap signed in April 2026 and is backed by the UK’s Defence Investment Plan, which pledges £8.6 bn to GCAP over four years.

Janes Information GroupEdgewing receives £4.6 billion GCAP contract as UK, Italy and Japan advance next-generation fighter design and development phaseHuge contract awarded for new British fighter jetGCAP Fighter Project Advances with £4.6 Billion Contract Award to EdgewingUK, Italy, Japan award £4.6 billion contract to advance GCAP fighter jetEdgewing awarded £4.6bn funding to advance GCAP 6th-generation fighteril Sole 24 OreDefense News

GCAP, launched in 2022, is a trinational programme by the UK, Italy and Japan to field a stealth sixth-generation fighter by 2035. Edgewing, a joint venture of BAE Systems, Leonardo and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co., serves as the prime contractor and design authority.

Huge contract awarded for new British fighter jetEdgewing receives £4.6 billion GCAP contract as UK, Italy and Japan advance next-generation fighter design and development phaseUK, Italy and Japan seal $6.1 billion deal for next-generation fighter jetUK, Italy, Japan award £4.6 billion contract to advance GCAP fighter jetEdgewing awarded £4.6bn funding to advance GCAP 6th-generation fighterOver £4 billion invested in next-generation fighter jet with new international contractGCAP Fighter Project Advances with £4.6 Billion Contract Award to Edgewing

UK Defence Readiness Minister Luke Pollard called the award a “major step forward” that deepens alliances, protects security and sustains skilled jobs. GCAP Agency chief Masami Oka said the contract keeps programme momentum across all delivery streams. Edgewing CEO Marco Zoff highlighted the trust placed in the consortium by the three governments.

Edgewing receives £4.6 billion GCAP contract as UK, Italy and Japan advance next-generation fighter design and development phase

Japanese officials threatened to cancel a UK visit if funding was not secured, and Italian representatives expressed irritation at the UK’s delayed DIP. Analysts note the DIP still leaves a shortfall of about £4.7 bn to be covered in the current budget year.

Defense News

Sources differ on the remaining UK funding gap, citing either £4.7 bn or a £10.7 bn savings target. The exact date for the Excalibur demonstrator’s first flight is not detailed.

GCAP Fighter Project Advances with £4.6 Billion Contract Award to Edgewing

GCAP shares development risk, accelerates digital engineering, AI and advanced manufacturing, and provides a sovereign sixth-generation capability for the United Kingdom, Italy and Japan, while generating high-value jobs across the three nations.

Edgewing receives £4.6 billion GCAP contract as UK, Italy and Japan advance next-generation fighter design and development phase

Edgewing will award sub-contracts to the G2E electronics consortium and the Rolls-Royce-Avio-IHI propulsion team. Key milestones include finalising design requirements, completing the Excalibur flight-test aircraft by late 2027 and launching the next full-scale development contract.

GCAP enters new development phase with £4.6 billion international contract

• “I am delighted to sign this international contract on behalf of the three GCAP nations – Italy, Japan and the UK. It will enable the GCAP Agency and Edgewing to continue making huge progress in all areas of delivery.” — Masami Oka, GCAP Agency Chief Executive

Edgewing receives £4.6 billion GCAP contract as UK, Italy and Japan advance next-generation fighter design and development phase

• “Marco Zoff, Edgewing Chief Executive Officer, said: “This contract represents the trust placed in us by all three nations and our GCAP Agency partners, trust fostered by the rapid progress made under the first international contract.” — Marco Zoff, Edgewing CEO

Edgewing receives £4.6 billion GCAP contract as UK, Italy and Japan advance next-generation fighter design and development phase

• “With this long-term funding, the future of GCAP has never been more assured. I am excited about what we will achieve over the next 18 months and the opportunities we can create to grow the programme further,” — Japanese official (reported by local media)

GCAP Fighter Project Advances with £4.6 Billion Contract Award to Edgewing

• “The GBP4.6 billion contract will enable completion of the advanced concept and assessment phase of the programme, and further joint detailed design and development. The 18-month contract has been awarded by the GCAP Agency, which manages GCAP on behalf of the three governments, to Edgewing, the trinational prime contractor and design authority for the GCAP aircraft,” — Edgewing statement

Janes Information Group