Italy parliament backs €8.77 billion for GCAP fighter jet programme

Italy’s parliament on February 12 approved an almost €9 billion funding package for the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), a joint fighter jet initiative with Britain and Japan whose projected costs have more than tripled since its early estimates.

The defence committee of the lower house gave final approval to a government proposal committing €8.77 billion for the programme’s initial phases through 2037, according to a parliamentary document. The committee’s vote is definitive and does not require further approval from the full chamber, Caliber.Az reports, citing Reuters.

Launched in December 2022 by Italy, Britain and Japan, GCAP aims to deliver a next-generation fighter aircraft by 2035. The project envisions the integration of crewed and uncrewed platforms, advanced sensors and interconnected data networks.

Italy now estimates that early-phase costs will reach €18.6 billion, up from around €6 billion calculated at 2021 prices when the programme was first outlined.

"That projected cost estimate has been updated over time to take into account rising technology-maturation, testing, development and design costs," the parliamentary document said.

GCAP is being developed by a joint venture comprising Britain’s BAE Systems, Italy’s Leonardo and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement (JAIEC), which is backed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.

The Italian approval comes as the rival French-German-Spanish Future Combat Air System (FCAS) programme continues to face industrial tensions and key political decisions regarding its future.

In December, Italy indicated that Germany and Australia could be interested in joining GCAP. Italian media reported that Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz discussed the matter during a summit in Rome last month.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani signalled openness to expanding the partnership.

"If there are other countries [willing to join], I am personally not against," he told broadcaster Sky tg24 on February 11.

By Sabina Mammadli