Canada joins UK in programme to build next generation fighter jets
Canada has joined Britain in a coalition which is building the next generation of fighter jets, with new Prime Minister Andy Burnham claiming the announcement made the programme "even stronger".
The Global Combat Air Programme, Gcap, is a pact which the UK has agreed with Italy and Japan to build a new sixth generation fighter jet.
Informally dubbed Tempest, the new jets will be equipped with technology including artificial intelligence and next generation sensors, as western nations seek to maintain air superiority over threats from rival powers like Russia and China.
Canada has joined the programme as its first "observer nation", which means it will not have a decision-making role, but will have privileged access to the scheme.
It also paves the way for a closer contribution from Canada to Gcap in the future.
The prime minister hailed the announcement during his first full day in office on Tuesday.
Burnham said: "As I said on the steps of Downing Street, we are going to honour our commitments on defence – and use that investment to transform people's lives.
"And we are going to work even more closely with our allies.
"So today, we are not just recommitting to our state-of-the-art Gcap fighter programme, but I am delighted to announce that Canada will join the programme as the first observer nation.
"Gcap is already one of the world's most ambitious defence and industrial partnerships, supporting 4,500 jobs across the UK. Today's announcement makes it even stronger."
The announcement was made as new Defence Secretary Wes Streeting hosted his Japanese, Italian and Canadian counterparts - Shinjiro Koizumi, Guido Crosetto, and David McGuinty – on his first day in post, at Wellington Barracks in London.
Streeting said: "The first duty of any government is to keep our country safe. That's why I'm pushing this programme forward on my very first day in the job. Gcap continues to strengthen our security, drive technological innovation and create highly skilled jobs across the UK.
"We are proud to welcome Canada to this new phase of engagement and look forward to sharing expertise and working on technological advances as we continue to deliver this ground-breaking programme."
A statement from the four defence ministers said the new observer status would give Canada "enhanced insight into Gcap and an opportunity to deepen its understanding of the programme's governance, capabilities and industrial framework, as well as the related security requirements and wider partnering opportunities".
The statement added: "For Italy, Japan and the UK, Canada's involvement will also support greater alignment of strategic priorities and deepen mutual understanding of future combat air ambitions, thereby strengthening global security.
"Since the programme's inception, Gcap has been founded on the principle that international collaboration delivers significant benefits.
"In a complex global security environment, Italy, Japan, and the UK have remained committed to engaging with trusted allies and partners to strengthen the programme and maximise its long-term strategic impact.
"As they begin this new phase of the programme, the ministers of Italy, Japan, and the UK reaffirmed their commitment to openness, collaboration with like-minded partners, and the delivery of a next-generation combat aircraft capable of meeting future security challenges."
Burnham and his new defence secretary take up their roles after a row over defence spending plagued some of Keir Starmer's final weeks as prime minister.
John Healey, now the Chancellor, quit as defence secretary in June after saying the defence investment plan did not provide enough money to future-proof the armed forces, nor would it set out a realistic timetable for the UK's obligations to Nato to raise defence spending.
Healey now controls the government purse strings, and on Monday said Burnham's government "will meet our commitments on defence to our international allies" when asked whether it would spend 3% of gross domestic product – a measure of the economy – by 2030.
By David Lynch, Press Association Political Correspondent
Press Association: News
source: PA
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