In a significant diplomatic engagement, Keir Starmer, the British Prime Minister, convened with his Italian counterpart, Giorgia Meloni, in Rome on September 16, 2024. The meeting primarily focused on defense cooperation, with particular emphasis on the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), a collaborative initiative between the UK, Italy, and Japan.
The leaders issued a joint declaration following their discussions, underscoring the critical nature of GCAP for their respective national security interests and defense industrial capabilities. They expressed satisfaction with the ongoing progress of the project, which aims to develop a sixth-generation fighter aircraft by 2035.
GCAP, officially launched on December 9, 2022, represents a merger of the British-led Tempest and Italian-Japanese F-X fighter programmes. The project, estimated to cost approximately £25 billion up to the prototype phase, is expected to create thousands of jobs across the participating countries and maintain their technological edge in military aviation.
Starmer addressed speculation regarding Britain's continued involvement in GCAP, stating, "GCAP is a very important project and I had the opportunity to make that clear, both publicly and here in private." He acknowledged the ongoing strategic defense review in the UK but emphasized that it was not focused on any particular capability.
During the visit, Leonardo, a key partner in the GCAP project responsible for developing the aircraft's sensors and communications systems, announced a substantial investment of £435 million in its UK operations. This move further underscores the economic significance of the programme.
"GCAP is a very important project and I had the opportunity to make that clear, both publicly and here in private."
The GCAP fighter is slated to replace the Eurofighter Typhoon in RAF service and is expected to be equipped with advanced technologies such as AI-driven systems and directed energy weapons. It is designed to be interoperable with other NATO assets and those of allied nations, reflecting the project's strategic importance in maintaining the participating countries' combat air capabilities.
Defense firms involved in GCAP, including BAE Systems, the prime contractor for the UK's involvement, have expressed confidence in the project's continuation under the new government. This optimism aligns with the broader industry perspective on GCAP's crucial role in sustaining the aerospace sectors of the UK, Italy, and Japan.
As the project progresses, it continues to compete with the Franco-German-Spanish Future Combat Air System (FCAS), highlighting the ongoing race for technological superiority in military aviation among European nations.