Maneuver: 48 million more for the Gcap, the fighter with London and Tokyo

New resources for the Gcap (Global combat air programme), the joint program of Italy, the United Kingdom and Japan for the development of a new generation fighter. The maneuver provides for an increase of approximately 48 million euros over two years for the implementation of the international agreement: 32.3 million in 2027 and 15.6 million in 2028.

This is what is established in article 95 of the budget bill.

The additional resources - it is specified in the technical report - are not intended directly for the design or construction of the aircraft, but to cover the increased operating costs of Gigo, the intergovernmental organization responsible for managing and coordinating the program on behalf of the three countries. These are additional expenses compared to those already authorized by the 2024 law which ratified the organization's founding agreement. The allocation is therefore distinct from the multi-year funding intended for the development of the weapon system.

The Gcap, whose industrial protagonists include Leonardo, the British Bae Systems and the Japanese Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, aims to make a new generation air combat system operational by 2035. The project proceeds in parallel with the competing Franco-German-Spanish FCAS (Future Combat Air System) program, marked by industrial conflicts between Paris and Berlin.