GCAP Consortium Expands Partnership Toward First Flight | 2025FY | News Articles | IHI Corporation

https://www.ihi.co.jp/en/all_news/2025/aeroengine_space_defense/1201646_13743.html

Rolls-Royce (UK), Avio Aero (Italy) and IHI (Japan) today announced a major expansion of their partnership to accelerate development of the power and propulsion system for the next-generation fighter aircraft being developed through the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP).

This step represents the transition from national contracting to fully integrated international collaboration, laying the foundation for the detailed design and development of GCAP's all-new fighter engine. This development builds on the successful progress of the all-new centreline GCAP engine demonstrator. The three companies signed an evolved collaboration agreement that allows them to engage directly with Edgewing – the newly formed joint venture between BAE Systems, Leonardo and JAIEC of Japan.

As a consortium, Rolls-Royce, Avio Aero and IHI are transforming how they work to enable continued innovation and advance combat air propulsion technology to meet the timeline for GCAP's first flight.