Japan, Italy, and the UK have handed a £4.6 billion development contract to Edgewing, the industrial consortium building the GCAP jet. The 18-month contract will enable completion of the advanced concept and assessment phase of the program.
The contract comes after the UK freed up crucial cash following a months-long hold-up, with the UK's Defence Investment Plan committing £8.6 billion to the program over four years.
The signing of the contract is seen as a major step forward for the GCAP program, with UK defense procurement minister Luke Pollard stating it strengthens the partnership with international allies and supports thousands of highly skilled jobs across the UK.
