The next-generation Global Combat Air Program (GCAP) being developed by the trilateral alliance of the UK, Japan, and Italy has received a green light from London. If all goes according to plan, this grouping could unveil the world’s second sixth-generation aircraft unless China springs some surprise.

The future of the GCAP ran into uncertainty earlier this year as the UK’s Labor government, helmed by Keir Starmer, launched the Strategic Defence Review and refused to commit to the GCAP in July 2024. Experts interpreted the reticence to take a firm position on the project as the end of the road for this next-generation fighter program.

However, the UK Prime Minister finally approved the construction of the multibillion-pound fighter jet in a meeting with some ministers on November 5, allaying concerns about a potential axing of the project, as reported by The Financial Times. An official announcement will be made in the coming weeks.

The GCAP is a merger of the sixth-generation fighter programs of the UK and Japan, the Tempest and the F-X, respectively. In a separate development, when probed on the future of the Tempest, British Defence Minister Maria Eagle said, “Positive progress on GCAP continues, with over 3,500 people employed on future combat air.”

The Defense Minister also revealed that the country had ratified the pact for the establishment of the GCAP International Government Organization, or GIGO, which will supervise the aircraft’s development. According to recent reports, Japan has also ratified the pact, and Italy is expected to follow suit in the coming weeks.

In 2022, the three nations established the GCAP alliance to pool their resources and expertise and develop a sixth-generation aircraft with cutting-edge technology. They believe the aircraft would improve their standing against China, Russia, and North Korea.

The alliance has set a rather ambitious and challenging induction date: 2035.

While there have been hiccups, Britain’s green light and the impending ratification from all three countries mean that the projecting is running apace. If all goes to plan, the aircraft produced under the GCAP would be only the second sixth-generation aircraft in the world after the American B-21 Raider.

The B-21 was conceived in 2011, and major development contracts were awarded in 2015. After keeping the project under wraps for several years, the US finally unveiled the sixth-generation bomber in 2022.

The Raider took its first flight in November 2023. At least three B-21s are currently in various stages of testing, none reporting a hitch. The bomber is planned to enter service by the mid-2020s.

A B-21 Raider conducts flight testing, which includes ground testing, taxiing, and flying operations, at Edwards Air Force Base, California.

Though China is also developing its sixth-generation bomber, dubbed ‘H-20,’ Western analysts believe it will take a few years before the aircraft is ready for unveiling. Given Beijing’s penchant for springing surprises, nobody can predict when the Chinese bomber will be ready for a debut.

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