GCAP fighter jet timeline 'will not change even if new country joins'
XLI•Timeline for 2035 service target stays in place
Plans for the new Global Combat Air Programme fighter jet to be in service by 2035 will not change even if a new country joins the British, Italian and Japanese programme, the chief executive of the joint venture designing the plane said on Monday.
There has been mounting speculation that the trio could open the door to another country after a rival Franco-German fighter programme collapsed in June, leaving European defence alliances in flux and raising concerns about potential new delays.
Canada has reached a deal to become an observer to the programme, a source told Reuters last week, and an announcement is expected on Tuesday, an initial step that does not require any financial commitment.
Edgewing says new partners would be a net positive
Marco Zoff, CEO of the Edgewing joint venture behind the plane, told reporters at the Farnborough Airshow that the timeline would not be derailed if new partners joined.
