U.K. commits £8.6 billion to GCAP fighter program ahead of Farnborough Airshow

The tri-nation industrial consortium behind the GCAP fighter program is set to receive its next major contract before the Farnborough airshow this month after the U.K. committed essential funding on the day cash flow for the jet was due to run out. Sources close to the program told Defense News the next contract was made possible by the U.K.’s commitment of £8.6 billion ($11.4 billion) over four years to the U.K.-Italy-Japan jet program in its long-awaited Defence Investment Plan, which was published on Tuesday.

The cash means the three nations can now award a contract before the biennial U.K. airshow near London to Edgewing, the industrial consortium representing firms from the three nations, said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Background on program delays Originally due last year, the U.K.

Defence Investment Plan was delayed as officials and military leaders discussed defense funding priorities. With little sign of the disagreement easing, the U.K.’s partners on the sixth-generation GCAP grew increasingly concerned over delays in the program, which is due to put a plane in the air by 2035.

In April the partners signed a stopgap contract to keep work going for three months to give the U.K. time to find long-term cash. The joint program office created by the three nations announced the signing of a £686 million development contract with Edgewing, which teams local champions BAE Systems, Leonardo, and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co.

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Funding details and next steps On Tuesday, three months later, the Defence Investment Plan was unveiled, securing the required funds. Francis Tusa, the editor of UK site Defence Analysis, said the money for the GCAP in the plan is slightly more than the £6 billion expected.