Global Combat Air Program Gains Momentum As UK Secures Funding

Tony Osborne July 09, 2026

Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) — Japan has set a firm 2035 deadline for the start of its GCAP fighter operations.

Credit: Edgewing

After months of uncertainty over the UK’s long-delayed Defense Investment Plan, the Global Combat Air Program is finally back on firm footing. With multibillion-pound funding now committed and contracts signed, the governments of Italy, Japan and the UK are preparing to move the project into its...

Tony Osborne

Based in London, Tony covers European defense programs. Prior to joining Aviation Week in November 2012, Tony was at Shephard Media Group where he was deputy editor for Rotorhub and Defence Helicopter magazines.

Global Combat Air Program Gains Momentum As UK Secures Funding is available to both Aviation Week & Space Technology and AWIN subscribers.

Subscribe now to read this content, plus receive critical analysis into emerging trends, technological advancements, operational best practices and continuous updates to policy, requirements and budgets.

Already a subscriber to AW&ST or AWIN? Log in with your existing email and password.

Subscribe Log in