Farnborough 2026: Canada joins GCAP programme as observer
A model of GCAP, displayed at the DSEI Japan 2025 show in Chiba in May. (Janes/Oishee Majumdar)
Canada has been invited into the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto, Japanese Defence Minister Koizumi Shinjirō, United Kingdom Secretary of State for Defence Wes Streeting, and Canadian Minister of National Defence David J. McGuinty announced on 21 July.
Canada's participation in the programme marks the first time that membership in GCAP has been extended beyond its initial three founding members.
Canada's observer status will 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”, according to the Canadian government.
The UK government said Canada will have “privileged access” to GCAP's sensitive project information, but will lack a a decision making role while not being tied to any financial obligations or contracts related to the programme. The agreement will pave a way for Canada's potential participation and contribution to the programme in the future.
The Canadian government emphasised that the agreement would better align the four nations on strategic priorities and “deepen mutual understanding of future combat air ambitions”.
Canada's addition to GCAP is an additional development to a programme gathering steam ahead of its projected deployment in 2035.
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