On Friday the Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced they are to develop the next generation fighter jets with Japan and Italy in a £656 million funding boost.
This latest tranche of funding will propel the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) into its next phase and the fighter jets will be called Tempest in the UK.
The next gen fighter jets will take to the skies by 2035 and will succeed the RAF Typhoon which “will protect our skies for decades to come.”
BAE Systems was awarded the contract by the MoD in collaboration with Leonardo UK, Rolls-Royce including partners from Japan and Italy which will also include missile maker MBDA UK.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said, “The next tranche of funding for future combat air will help fuse the combined technologies and expertise we have with our international partners – both in Europe and the Pacific – to deliver this world-leading fighter jet by 2035, protecting our skies for decades to come.”
The Global Combat Air Programme is progressing to the next phase, backed by more than £650 million.
But what is this international programme that will protect our skies for decades to come, find out more below.
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— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) April 14, 2023
The new aircraft will be designed as a “stealth fighter with supersonic capability and will be equipped with cutting edge technologies,” the MoD said.
The MoD added, “This will make the aircraft one of the world’s most advanced, interoperable, adaptable and connected fighter jets in service globally.”
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