UK Commits £8.6 Billion to GCAP as Edgewing Nears Pre-Farnborough Contract
Updated
Updated · Defense News · Jul 1
UK Commits £8.6 Billion to GCAP as Edgewing Nears Pre-Farnborough Contract
3 articles · Updated · Defense News · Jul 1
Summary
£8.6 billion in new UK funding unlocked the next major GCAP contract for Edgewing, with the tri-nation consortium now expected to receive it before this month’s Farnborough airshow.
The money arrived on the day cash flow for the fighter program was due to run out, replacing a three-month stopgap signed in April and easing Italian and Japanese concern over repeated UK delays.
Edgewing — grouping BAE Systems, Leonardo and JAIEC — is then expected to place follow-on contracts with the jet’s electronics and propulsion teams as work advances toward a 2035 aircraft.
The funding still leaves risk around Britain’s wider defense budget: the ministry got £15 billion versus a £28 billion request, still needs £4.7 billion this year and must find £10.7 billion in savings.