# GCAP Agency Awards Edgewing Fighter Design Contract

The GCAP Agency has awarded Edgewing, a joint venture of BAE Systems, Leonardo, and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co. Ltd. (JAIEC), a **£686 million ($905 million)** contract in April 2026 to advance design and engineering activities for the Global Combat Air Programme's next-generation sixth-generation multirole fighter jet. This contract represents a significant milestone in international defense collaboration among the United Kingdom, Italy, and Japan, aiming for operational deployment by 2035. Poland and other nations have expressed interest in joining the program, indicating potential expansion of the partnership.

- The contract focuses on key design and development phases, signaling procurement opportunities for subcontractors and suppliers supporting advanced aerospace engineering.
- Procurement professionals should note the shift from national to multinational collaboration, which may influence future contracting strategies and requirements for interoperability and shared technology standards.
- Industry stakeholders can anticipate increased demand for aerospace innovation, systems integration, and international supply chain coordination tied to this program.
- Organizations interested in defense aerospace should evaluate partnership and bidding opportunities as the program progresses toward prototype development and production phases.

**Jurisdictions:** international
**Industries:** Defense & Military
**Topics:** Physical Infrastructure
**Published:** April 03, 2026

### Government Entities
- GCAP Agency (GCAP)
- United Kingdom (UK)
- Italy
- Japan
- UK Ministry of Defence

### Vendors
- Edgewing (prime contractor)
- BAE Systems (member of joint venture)
- Leonardo (member of joint venture)
- Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co. Ltd. (JAIEC) (member of joint venture)
- Rolls Royce (industry partner for Team Tempest)

### Key Quotes
> The new funding invests in key design and engineering activities and enables the trilateral partnership to build momentum and accelerate pace of delivery.
> — Edgewing (statement)

> We remain open to others joining GCAP. However, the UK and GCAP partners, Italy and Japan, are focused on delivering this vital military capability at pace.
> — Luke Pollard, UK minister for defence readiness

> The pace at which Edgewing and the GCAP Agency have ramped up, and are now operating, has been made possible through our shared purpose and strength of collaboration. We are proud to carry this momentum forward.
> — Marco Zoff, Chief Executive Officer Edgewing

### Sources
- [Edgewing receives first GCAP next-gen fighter international contract to boost design activities - Breaking Defense](https://breakingdefense.com/2026/04/edgewing-receives-first-gcap-next-gen-fighter-international-contract-to-boost-design-activities) - Breaking Defense
- [First GCAP program contract awarded to Edgewing – MILMAG](https://milmag.pl/en/first-gcap-program-contract-awarded-to-edgewing) - milmag.pl