Il quartier generale globale si apre nel Regno Unito mentre il programma di jet da combattimento GCAP GCAP UK-GAPAN-ITALE decolla

A major milestone has been marked in the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP), with the official opening of its new international headquarters in Reading outside of London.

The program is a strategic partnership between the United Kingdom, Japan, and Italy, which aims to deliver a next-generation stealth fighter aircraft to replace the existing Typhoon and Mitsubishi F-2 fleets by the mid-2030s.

The newly established global HQ will house both the GCAP International Government Organisation (GIGO) and a joint industry venture known as Edgewing, comprising BAE Systems (UK), Leonardo (Italy), and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co Ltd. The facility will act as the central nerve centre for the design and development of the advanced combat aircraft, combining cutting-edge technology and engineering expertise from all three partner nations.

The headquarters was officially opened today by the UK’s Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Maria Eagle MP. Speaking at the event, Defence Secretary John Healey MP said the launch of the global HQ underlined the UK’s firm commitment to GCAP.

“Opening this global HQ in Reading underlines the UK’s full commitment to GCAP and demonstrates the steps we are taking with our partners to deliver for defence,” Secretary Healey said.

The multinational headquarters is designed to foster deep collaboration between governments and industry, bringing together engineers, designers, systems specialists and strategic planners under one roof. It also aligns with the UK’s Strategic Defence Review, which identified GCAP as not just a critical future capability for air combat, but also a key driver of industrial growth and technological innovation.

“The Strategic Defence Review captured that GCAP will deliver more than cutting-edge military capabilities. It already supports over 3,500 UK jobs, with many more to follow as the program develops. It is also sustaining a world-leading skilled workforce for the UK’s combat air industry and delivering on the government’s Plan for Change,” Secretary Healey added.

The headquarters’ opening coincided with a virtual trilateral meeting between Secretary Healey, Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto, and Japanese Minister of Defense Gen Nakatani. The three leaders discussed progress on GCAP and reaffirmed their nation’s commitment to joint innovation in combat air power.

International programmes when you just exclude Germany and France:

Best of luck !!!

Hehe, good luck, but we and Frenchie will be lightyears ahead. Right Frenchie? Right?!

Hmmmm, this is like the tenth time I’ve heard of this project “taking off”.