Defense officials leading the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) are evaluating plans to accelerate the deployment of their new sixth-generation fighter jet by up to two years, potentially moving the operational entry date ahead of its original 2035 target.
The push to advance the operational timeline originates from ministerial-level discussions within the partner nations, driven by growing strategic urgency to field the multi-domain combat system earlier than initially scheduled.
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Edgewing, the joint venture comprising BAE Systems, Leonardo, and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co., serves as the prime contractor for the initiative.
The industrial group works directly with the trilateral government agency GIGO to manage development.
To achieve an accelerated timeline, project leadership is considering a phased deployment strategy.
Modulating initial operational requirements would allow the jet to enter service sooner while gradually reaching its full combat capabilities over time.
Lorenzo Mariani, Chief Executive Officer of Leonardo, confirmed the push: "It’s true that there is quite a strong push to bring forward the first entry into service of GCAP that was initially stated — that [is] still stated 2035 — closer by a couple of years."
Mariani noted that the accelerated timeline remains achievable provided the initial service entry is adapted to meet essential operational needs first before integrating subsequent upgrades.
"This is something that has been said in meetings by the ministers and has been motivated correctly, in my view, by the urgency of having such a multi-domain system starting to operate as quickly as possible, as early as possible," he said.
