At the DSEI 2025 (Defence & Security Equipment International) defense and security exhibition, held on September 9–12 at London’s ExCeL center, the British company BAE Systems provided an update on the progress of the international 6th generation fighter program GCAP (Global Combat Air Programme), being developed in cooperation between the United Kingdom (BAE Systems), Italy (Leonardo), and Japan (Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co. Ltd.).
Image: Leonardo
The above-mentioned industrial partners of the Global Combat Air Programme had already announced on June 20, 2025, the achievement of a significant milestone: the establishment of the joint venture Edgewing, responsible for the design and development of next-generation combat aircraft throughout their entire life cycle, extending beyond 2070. It is worth noting that GCAP follows the still-evolving Eurofighter program, which involves Leonardo, serving as proof of an excellent partnership in advancing combat aviation.
Now, at the DSEI 2025 exhibition, the industrial partners of the GCAP consortium (Italy, the United Kingdom, Japan) have announced another milestone in the program: the establishment of the GCAP Electronics Evolution (G2E) consortium in the field of electronics, aimed at initiating the design and development phase of an integrated detection, reconnaissance, and communication system for the next-generation fighter.
The creation of the G2E electronics consortium formalizes cooperation in a commercial structure, marks significant progress at the industrial level, and reinforces the partners’ long-term commitment.
The electronics consortium has been designed to meet tasks within the ambitious timelines set by GCAP, while ensuring accountability at every level, supporting operational flexibility, and enabling modifications at the national level.
Photo: Jakub Link-Lenczowski, MILMAG
The G2E consortium is committed to working with all stakeholders to achieve the shared goals of the partner nations in the areas of security, economy, skills, and know-how. The consortium will leverage the expertise and resources of each participating country by deepening trilateral cooperation to strengthen security in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region in the coming decades. This aligns with the goal of all GCAP partners, who have consistently sought to establish a new global standard of partnership, innovation, and trust from the very beginning, aiming to achieve ambitious objectives and reinforce global security.
The GCAP Electronics Evolution consortium is now preparing to secure a contract from Edgewing – the joint venture established by BAE Systems (United Kingdom), Leonardo (Italy), and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co., Ltd. (Japan), serving as the prime systems integrator for GCAP fighter aircraft.
The companies will work together to deliver an advanced sensing and communications suite for next-generation combat aircraft, known as the Integrated Sensing and Non-Kinetic Effects & Integrated Communications Systems (ISANKE & ICS), as well as the decades-long Through-Life Support Service (TLSS).
ISANKE and ICS are at the heart of the GCAP effort. The integration and exploitation of vast amounts of information available in the future operational environment will be one of the key features distinguishing the GCAP platform from previous generations of combat aircraft.
At DSEI today, @Leonardo_live, @Mitsubishi_FA and @ELTGrp, the defence electronics industry champions representing Japan, the UK and Italy, announce that they have embarked on the next stage of cooperation for GCAP, the Global Combat Air Programme.
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— Leonardo Electronics (@LDO_Electronics) September 9, 2025