Canada signs first GCAP-related industrial agreement

A full-scale mockup of GCAP was displayed at the Farnborough International Airshow 2026, which coincided with the admission of Canada into the programme as an observer. The country has now signed its first industrial agreement related to the programme. (Janes/Gareth Jennings)

Canada has signed its first industrial agreement related to the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) since joining as an observer earlier in 2026.

Canada's Bombardier and the UK's BAE Systems announced a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on 28 October 2026 to explore opportunities for collaboration in support of next-generation combat air capabilities in Canada.

As noted in the announcement, the MOU may focus on areas such as aircraft and mission-system design, systems integration, digital engineering and digital thread technologies, advanced manufacturing, and long-term product support, sustainment and security.

Canada was formally invited to join the GCAP programme as an observer in July 2026, becoming the first country to participate in the effort outside of its three founding members of Japan, Italy and the UK. As revealed at the time by the Canadian government, observer status would provide the country with “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”.