Canada joined the global combat air programme as an observer during the Farnborough International Airshow, giving Ottawa a working understanding of the UK, Italy and Japan effort without a financial commitment. The move opens a path to discussions about full participation, where an industrial contribution would be part of the package.
Masami Oka, the chief executive at the GCAP Agency, said the partner countries had highlighted openness to more participation based on what was best for the program and of mutual benefit. On the eve of the Canadian announcement, he said, “From the start of this program, the partner countries … have highlighted [an] openness to that kind of possibility, based on certain considerations, what is best for the program and of mutual benefit,”
Farnborough International Airshow
The announcement came during a week when attention around GCAP sharpened after the rival European Future Combat Air System project died last month. That left GCAP as the only international sixth-generation fighter effort in view, alongside the F-47, and raised the stakes around any move that could broaden the program beyond three countries.
At the same time, GCAP executives said on Monday it was too early to talk about full program costs because the partners remain at a concept phase. That means the project has not yet reached the point where a detailed price picture can be put on the table, even as observer status creates a route for closer involvement.
Lorenzo Mariani on delay risk
Leonardo CEO Lorenzo Mariani said he could see the benefit of Germany joining GCAP, but warned that adding another nation and another group of industries would risk delays. He said, “another nation joining, another group of industries joining the program would risk [producing] some delays, while at the moment, on the contrary, we are fully committed to the 2035 [service entry] date.”
Mariani also said France will not join GCAP for the same reasons that led to the rupture with Germany on FCAS, citing disputes over IP rights, workshare arrangements and design requirements. German officials said after the collapse of FCAS they were considering a range of options, including potentially playing a part in GCAP.
Michael Schoellhorn in London
Michael Schoellhorn said Airbus is feeling out its own potential GCAP role. Speaking to reporters in London on Tuesday during a company briefing, he answered “it depends” when asked if Airbus was ready to join GCAP.
He added, “What we’re ready to do is to join something or to build something where we have a significant portion of the work and the leadership, and that’s currently being explored.”
For Ottawa, observer status means access to the program’s workings without the payment obligation that comes with full membership. For the current partners, it creates a formal way to test whether broader participation can help the program without derailing the 2035 target.
