The Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) is a trilateral partnership in which the governments and respective industries of Italy, the United Kingdom and Japan have come together with the shared ambition to develop the next generation fighter jet that will meet the future threats of 2040+.

Leonardo is a strategic partner of GCAP and the Lead System Integrator for Italy alongside BAE Systems in the UK and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co. Ltd. in Japan.

In December 2024, Leonardo, BAE Systems and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co Ltd reached a landmark agreement to establish an international strategic partnership to deliver the next generation aircraft for GCAP. In June 2025, the partners announced the creation of Edgewing – the new joint venture company, with each partner holding a 33.3% shareholding. 

Alongside the GCAP International Government Organisation (GIGO) – the Government entity that manages GCAP on behalf of the three nations – Edgewing will lead the development of the next generation fighter jet for the GCAP partner nations. 

This next generation aircraft will be the core platform at the heart of the UK’s future combat air system.

GCAP Electronics Evolution Consortium (G2E) was established in September 2025 comprising Leonardo and ELT Group for Italy, Leonardo UK for the UK and Mitsubishi Electric for Japan. 

It brings together four world-leading defence electronics champions, from three nations, as a single strategic enabling partner, with one vision…to deliver the Integrated Sensors And Non-Kinetic Effects and Integrated Communications Systems (ISANKE & ICS) that will make the GCAP next-generation fighter jet, a sensor powerhouse.