Canada to Join British-Italian-Japanese Fighter Jet Program as Observer

Canada will become an observer to the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), a next-generation fighter initiative led by Britain, Japan, and Italy, a senior Canadian source told Reuters. The observer role is expected to be formally announced in the coming days at the Farnborough International Airshow. GCAP—set up in 2022—aims for a sixth-generation stealth jet to enter service by 2035. Reuters says observer status would not require immediate financial commitments, though further participation could follow.