UK: Canada joins Global Combat Air Programme as an observer

London, July 21 (KUNA) -- Britain announced on Tuesday that Canada has joined the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), established by the United Kingdom, Italy, and Japan in 2022 with the aim of developing a next-generation fighter jet by 2035, as the programme’s first observer state.

In a statement, the British Ministry of Defence said that Canada’s accession to the programme, which is part of the UK’s Future Combat Air System, will grant it direct access to the programme’s activities, including capability development, industrial cooperation, and long-term implementation plans, through a collaborative mechanism with partner nations.

The statement added that Canada will not have a decision-making role within the programme, but its observer status provides privileged access to its work and paves the way for future discussions regarding its participation and contributions.

The ministry explained that the programme creates more than 4,500 jobs in the UK and involves over 600 entities within its supply chain, thereby supporting employment, vocational training programmes, and growth in the manufacturing and technology sectors.

It noted that the programme aims to develop a sixth-generation fighter jet utilizing advanced technologies, including autonomous systems, artificial intelligence, unmanned systems, and next-generation sensors, to maintain air superiority against evolving threats.

The ministry highlighted that Canada’s observer status coincides with the British government’s allocation of £8.6 billion ($11.5 billion) in investment over four years for the programme, as part of the UK’s Defence Investment Plan. (End)