Delays in UK Funding Put 6th-Gen Fighter Programme at Risk as India…

Sarah J · 2026-03-25T17:37:31.000Z

The Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) a next-generation fighter jet initiative led by the United Kingdom, Japan, and Italy is facing uncertainty as delays in the UK’s defence budget commitments begin to impact progress, raising concerns among key partners like Japan. GCAP is an ambitious project aimed at developing a sixth-generation stealth fighter jet by 2035, combining Britain’s Tempest programme with Japan’s F-X initiative and supported by major defence players such as BAE Systems, Leonardo, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. However, budgetary delays in the UK have slowed decision-making and timelines, leading to frustration from Japan, which is pushing for faster execution to stay competitive in the global defence race. At the same time, the programme is attracting interest from new countries. India and Poland are exploring potential entry into GCAP, seeing it as an opportunity to gain access to cutting-edge aerospace technologies and strengthen their domestic defence industries. For India, participation could complement its own Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme, helping accelerate development timelines and enhance technological capabilities through international collaboration. Poland, on the other hand, views the initiative as a way to revitalize its aviation sector and integrate into advanced European defence manufacturing ecosystems. Despite this growing interest, expansion of the programme remains complex. Existing partners are cautious about adding new members too quickly, as it could increase costs, complicate technology sharing, and delay timelines further.

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Delays in UK Funding Put 6th-Gen Fighter Programme at Risk as India… | SEINET