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Story summary
- UK government secured Canada’s observer role in the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) on July 21, 2026.
- Prime Minister Andy Burnham named John Healey finance minister and gave Wes Streeting the defence brief.
- BAE Systems, Boeing and Saab signed a deal for Britain to receive a new T-7-based fast-jet trainer to replace Hawks.
- Canada’s observer status costs nothing but could later become full participation, sharing the billion-dollar development bill and ordering jets.
