3 minute read - 13th December 2024
New joint venture announced to deliver next generation combat aircraft
BAE Systems, Leonardo, and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co (JAIEC) have agreed to form a new company under a business joint venture for the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), subject to regulatory approvals.
The agreement builds on the strong trilateral government, defence, and industrial cooperation between the UK, Japan, and Italy on GCAP since its establishment in December 2022.
The new joint venture will be accountable for the design, development and delivery of the next-generation combat aircraft and will remain the design authority for GCAP for the life of the product, which is expected to extend beyond 2070.
The combat aircraft, called Tempest in the UK, is set to be in service in 2035 and will be one of the world’s most advanced, interoperable, adaptable and connected fighter jets in service. The programme builds on the substantial progress and investment already made in the UK by BAE Systems, Leonardo UK, MBDA UK, Rolls-Royce and the UK Ministry of Defence through the Team Tempest partnership.
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BAE Systems, alongside Leonardo and JAIEC, will form a new company to deliver the Global Combat Air Programme / Picture: BAE Systems
The new joint venture will have operations and joint teams working in each of the partner nations. It will be headquartered in the UK to ensure maximum alignment and collaboration with the GCAP International Government Organisation (GIGO), which will also be headquartered in the UK. Both entities will collaborate to support cost-effective and timely programme delivery, including a 2035 aircraft in-service date.
BAE Systems, Leonardo, and JAIEC will each hold a 33.3% shareholding in the joint venture—bringing together the combined strengths and expertise of three leading companies and marking a pivotal moment for the international aerospace and defence industry.
Charles Woodburn, chief executive of BAE Systems, said: “Today’s agreement is a culmination of many months working together with our industry partners and is testament to the hard work of everyone involved in this strategically important programme. The new business will bring together the significant strengths and expertise of the companies involved to create an innovative organisation that will lead the way in developing a next-generation combat air system, creating long-term, high value and skilled jobs across the partner nations for decades to come.”
The combat aircraft, called Tempest in the UK, is set to be in service in 2035 and will be one of the world’s most advanced, interoperable, adaptable and connected fighter jets in service / Picture: BAE Systems
Roberto Cingolani, chief executive officer and general manager of Leonardo, added: “This agreement is the result of an intensive journey made possible by pooling our mutual and shared experiences. This partnership not only enhances our technological capabilities but also reinforces our commitment to global security and innovation. Today, we are paving the way for the development of a new era in aircraft systems and multi-domain scenarios, fostering long-term sustainable growth for the economies of the involved countries.”
Kimito Nakae, president of JAIEC, said: “As we now embark upon the exciting and important journey towards the success of GCAP, I acknowledge that the way might not always be simple and straightforward. However, I believe that through continuing the strong spirit of trilateral cooperation and collaboration that we have fostered up to this point, we will not only deliver the GCAP on time but also at a level that exceeds all of our expectations.”
The GCAP partners added that the project is a hugely significant programme for each nation’s security and economic prosperity. Through effective knowledge and technology transfer, it will help evolve and deliver important sovereign combat air capability in each nation for generations to come.
