'GCAP is the future' of UK defence, says BAE Systems CEO as new concept model is unveiled

BAE Systems CEO Charles Woodburn tells Sky's Ian King that "GCAP is the future" and working with allies like Japan and Italy is important to "share the cost and share the capabilities".

The Global Combat Air Programme is considered a vital piece of work for the British defence industry giant.

#gcap #baesystems #ukdefence

[Cravendale]

Cancelling GCAP would be a big mistake and be yet another example of short termism that always comes back to bite in the long run. Maintaining a technological edge in airpower is crucial, especially when the likes of China has been catching up in recent years with their own 5th gen fighters.

[theopinionatedbystander]

If the UK government has any sense (I know, it’s always an if), but GCAP and BAE have a brand and product portfolio that can really bite into Boings faltering image.. the UK has world leading history of plane and military development. So BA Systems is a major advantage in negations of a trade deal with the US, and the stronger the UK military might, the better the standing at the negotiating table. Not everyone in the world wants to be bound by the rules of buying an F35, GCAP really has a chance of playing a pivotal role in helping the UK get past its Brexit woes, and can be foundational in creating a new place for the UK in the worlds pecking order..

[AmberJays]

There would be no point in cancelling this project at such a late stage. It's been happening for over a decade already, under it's former name of Tempest. Initially, it was supposed to be a partnership between UK, Italy and Sweden, but when breaking down costs Sweden decided to pull out (too expensive for them); after that Japan showed interest.

There was also interest from Saudi Arabia looking to enter the program in a junior role, however Japan pushed back on that as they didn't want involvement of a country which could cause disagreements. For the same reason, there was a period a while back (about 2 years ago or so) when rumours were suggesting that Germany was potentially looking to get involved in GCAP as too many issues and disagreements were happening with France (the current EU project they're involved in), but because Germany is very quick to block sales, I suspect that was the real reason it didn't go anywhere (a lot of UK jet sales have collapsed because of Germany in the last 10 years).

While the jet definitely has combat capabilities, its key strengths are actually in its stealth recon (covert intelligence gathering) which arguably is just as - if not more - important.

The project is on schedule, and its remained within budget over the last decade, there is absolutely zero reason to kill this now. All the technology in it will be British, Japanese and Italian; with thanks to BAE Systems, Rolls Royce, Leonardo, Mitsibushi, etc. A lot of very capable companies involved in the entire project each pulling at their own expertise for the different components

UK Government really needs to stay away from the EU Project, as it is well behind schedule and has run into a lot of problems (likely will arrive very late and about 5-10 years later if it does get completed, unless the EU decides to drop it and opt for purchasing from elsewhere instead), and the US has decided to be completely isolationist in their own project were they are not partnering with anyone else (probably because they are spooked with the pace China is developing its own version).

[jabezhane]

It's the future of our shareholder value going forward! We can stretch delivery out another 10 years and go 4 times over budget no problem!

[Jase]

Will get cancelled next year after the defence review calls for cuts.

[hydorah]

UK industry badly needs a renaissance a project such as this is central to that. The last government sold the UK sort in every regard. HS1.5 and the UK needs to start exercising some of its capabilities and making some world class machines again, in the modern age. No TSR2 MKII please

[HoverLambo]

I think that two reasons for this program could be the refusal by the USA to sell F22 to Japan and the refusal (as I heard it) to give allies access to F35s coding.

[willhall]

Peace throughout the world is the future of defence.

[Biketunerfy]

Absolutely this should never be considered to be in the chopping block. We need to be on the cutting edge of fighter jet technology and losing this would set us back 20 to 30 years. I’m a tax payer and I say keep it going.

[Andrew-rcvh]

2:27 the question was not 'is it worth speculating'. The question was 'What are the disadvantages of buying F35s'.

[mrrolandlawrence]

so proud to be british. we need to spend more on big ticket items. in fact we should aim for 5 aircraft carriers. im tired of people who point out that for the same price as converting the tonrado to the F1 - we could have given the RAF f15's though out. if its one thing we have learned from the war in ukraine is that drones are useless against powerful 6th generation jets. the uk must also prepare to take on the project 100% if the other partners fall by the wayside.

[markymark]

Let's hope it doesn't go the same way as TSR2 project did.

[martinbayliss]

BAE keep on saying they are a defence giant. Then lets see them behave like one and develop the Tempest as a super sonic, vectored thrust stealthy naval combat jet for the Royal Navy (and other navies) and fund it themselves. They could call is the Sea Fury II.

[alexanderjohns]

BAE will work for anyone that will pay them the vast sums of money for the arms they make.

[jonboymkbridgemaryfront]

All we need is good army few jets and a PROPER NAVY. We are a island nation

[Paulo-ovyo]

That looks closer to the Japanese concept

[Stray_Cafe]

Japan is already shifting to detailed design in body(MHI) and engine(IHI), remaining term is only several years by 2035 without the test phase. But there is the new concept, UK&IT version with RR engine does schedule to 2040 or more later?

[karthikmk]

UK, Germany, spain and Italy should sell the production line of typhoon to India along with EJ200 engine IP rights. So that india could get IP rights of one of the leading fighter jet engine and produce 114 typhoon in india. While UK, Germany and Italy would receive enough money to work on their respective 6th gen projects

[kostas---]

Lets see if the uk gov can resist the pressure from the American military industrial complex lobby

[nigelgrimmett]

I would have thought that the Ukraine war would indicate that a fully integrated missile, drones is the way forward. We do not need a surface fleet but submarines. An army to protect us at home.