The UK, Japan, and Italy have signed a $6.14 billion contract with the joint venture Edgewing to advance the design of a sixth-generation fighter jet as part of the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP).

This aircraft, set to enter service by 2035, will integrate cutting-edge stealth technology, artificial intelligence, and advanced digital engineering to outperform existing systems like the Typhoon and F-35.The GCAP initiative, funded jointly by the three nations, aims to create a next-generation Royal Air Force capable of countering modern threats.The contract includes rigorous testing and establishes key requirements for the aircraft, which will work alongside autonomous systems.The project supports thousands of jobs in the UK and strengthens the country's sovereign industrial base.Additionally, the Defence Investment Plan allocates £8.6bn to ensure the RAF remains equipped with advanced capabilities.

The collaboration highlights the nations' commitment to innovation in defense technology, combining their industrial and technological strengths to develop a highly capable combat air system.