Canada joins multinational GCAP project in an observer role
The defence ministers of Italy, Japan and the UK formally confirmed Canada’s participation in the multinational Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) as the project’s first ‘observer’ nation.
GCAP represents an international defence partnership between the UK, Italy, Japan and now Canada (albeit only as an observer at present) to develop a sixth-generation fighter to replace legacy fourth-generation aircraft, such as the Eurofighter Typhoon and Mitsubishi F-2.
While the project will deliver a crewed next-generation fighter, it will also develop a system-of-systems, connecting uncrewed platforms – such as Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCAs) – space systems, advanced sensors and cyber weapons to the aircraft.
Canada joins GCAP as an observer
On July 21, Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto, Japanese Defense Minister Koizumi Shinjirō, the UK’s newly appointed Defence Secretary Wes Streeting and Canada’s Minister of National Defence David J McGuinty met in London to discuss and announce Canada’s participation in the GCAP programme going forward.
Canada’s participation in GCAP marks the programme’s first major expansion since the founding members (UK, Japan and Italy) agreed a trilateral collaboration agreement to deliver the concept phase of the project in December 2024. Unlike the other three nations, however, Canada will retain an observer status for the GCAP programme.
We are delighted to welcome Canada as our first #GCAP Observer!
— GCAP (@GCAP_int) July 21, 2026
Read the quadrilateral joint statement to find out why this is an important moment for our programme and how Canada will benefit from being a GCAP Observer:https://t.co/iLwh3YehQY
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According to the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD), “observer status will provide Canada with enhanced insight into GCAP and an opportunity to deepen its understanding of the programme’s governance, capabilities and industrial framework, as well as the related security requirements and wider partnering opportunities.”
Canada’s participation in GCAP also comes as the nation is actively shifting its defence away from the US to reduce its heavy reliance on American military technology within its armed forces. Such a move comes at a time of heightened political and trade relations between Ottawa and the Trump administration over recent years.
On 3 July 2026, the three nations inked a $4.6bn contract to advance the design and development phase of the programme through the Edgewing joint venture, which is spearheaded by the UK’s BAE Systems, Italy’s Leonardo and the Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co Ltd. Early requirements optimistically aim for the sixth-generation combat aircraft developed through GCAP (which will be known as Tempest in UK service) to enter service in 2035.
