The UK has bolstered its air defence after the opening of a global headquarters, bringing some of the best minds across the world to deliver a next-generation stealth fighter jet.
The global HQ, which opened in Reading on Monday, is a significant milestone for the Global Combat Air Programme (CGAP) – between the UK, Japan and Italy.
Defence Secretary John Healey said the facility “underlines the UK’s full commitment to GCAP and demonstrates the steps” the country is taking with its partners to deliver for defence.
“The Strategic Defence Review captured that GCAP will deliver more than cutting-edge military capabilities,” he said.
“It already supports over 3,500 UK jobs, with many more to follow as the programme develops.”
Healey said the facility “is also sustaining a world-leading skilled workforce for the UK’s combat air industry and delivering on the government’s Plan for Change”.
“Through this work we are helping to ensure the UK remains at the forefront of combat air power innovation for decades to come and that defence is engine for growth across the country,” he said.
The facility will host the GCAP International Government Organisation (GIGO) along with joint venture company, Edgewing which is responsible for the design and development of the aircraft.
Defence Procurement Minister Maria Eagle cutting the ribbon as the new Global Combat Air Programme HQ was opened in Reading on Monday
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
It will bring together three industry partners – UK’s BAE Systems, Italy’s Leonardo, and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co. Ltd.
The facility, which was opened by Defence Procurement Minister Maria Eagle, will help deliver the GCAP programme by bringing together the best minds from three different countries.
The Ministry of Defence indicated that it would help drive innovation and strengthen each country’s combat air industrial capability, supporting the vision of the Strategic Defence Review.
The opening comes on the same day Healey met virtually with Italy’s Defence Minister Guido Crosetto and Japan’s Defence Minister Gen Nakatani to discuss the GCAP’s latest progress.
The GCAP HQ will deliver thousands of jobs over the coming years
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
The Ministry of Defence said it was already creating thousands of highly skilled jobs across the UK, Japan and Italy, including new apprentice and graduate roles.
The MoD also highlighted it was also supporting the strong relationship between industry and the Armed Forces of the three nations.
More than 3,500 people, including engineers and programmers, are already working on GCAP in the UK with a further 1,000 undertaking related apprenticeships or training schemes.
The MoD said many more will follow as the programme develops.
It indicated that it also demonstrated the UK Government’s commitment to keep the UK secure at home and strong abroad.
It comes after Labour announced a historic commitment to increase defence spending to 2.6 per cent of GDP by 2027.
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