Canada's defense minister, David McGuinty, has expressed interest in learning more about the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP), a trinational effort led by the United Kingdom, Italy, and Japan. The program aims to develop a next-generation fighter, the Tempest.
This move comes as Ottawa weighs its options for a new fighter fleet, considering a split buy approach that could include the U.S.-made F-35 and another type. Canada's potential involvement in GCAP could provide access to information on the program and potentially lead to deeper involvement.
The Tempest's design emphasizes extreme range and a large payload, making it well-suited to Canada's fighter requirements. However, joining GCAP would require a rethink of Canada's timeline and potentially duplicate infrastructure and training. Canada's best option might be to buy the jet 'off the shelf' rather than seeking industrial participation.
