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Leonardo says Sixth-Gen Fighter Could Enter Service Before 2035

8/1/2026

Summary

Story summary

Leonardo CEO Lorenzo Mariani said the GCAP sixth-generation fighter could enter service a couple of years before 2035.
He added that advancing the schedule would likely require modulating the initial version’s requirements.
The Edgewing consortium developing GCAP includes Leonardo, Britain’s BAE Systems, and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co.
Reuters reported Japan aims for service by at least 2035 to replace F-2s, with Canada, Singapore and Saudi Arabia showing interest.

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Story summary

Leonardo CEO Lorenzo Mariani said the GCAP sixth-generation fighter could enter service a couple of years before 2035.
He added that advancing the schedule would likely require modulating the initial version’s requirements.
The Edgewing consortium developing GCAP includes Leonardo, Britain’s BAE Systems, and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co.
Reuters reported Japan aims for service by at least 2035 to replace F-2s, with Canada, Singapore and Saudi Arabia showing interest.