Canada Is Planning to Join the GCAP Sixth-Gen Fighter Program |
Canada Is Planning to Join the GCAP Sixth-Gen Fighter Program
Share this link on Facebook
Share this page on X (Twitter)
Share this link on LinkedIn
Share this page on Reddit
Email a link to this page
Canada’s interest in the GCAP program could amount to a rebuke of the United States, which has urged Ottawa to purchase the fifth-generation F-35 and sixth-generation F-47 systems instead.
The Royal Canadian Air Force’s (RCAF’s) acquisition of the F-35 Lightning II fighter jet has been in question for some time, with Ottawa reviewing its options. President Donald Trump’s periodic calls to annex Canada as the 51st state haven’t helped matters, and the RCAF may yet opt to back out of its adoption of the fifth-generation stealth fighter entirely.
Instead, Canada could be an operator of a European-made sixth-generation manned fighter—specifically the aircraft now under development as part of the UK-led Global Combat Air Program (GCAP), alongside Italy and Japan. Canada would enter the program as an observer at the outset, meaning that it would receive “selected confidential information” from the core partners “without committing to full participation,” Air Data News reported.
However, this would open the door to greater Canadian involvement in GCAP. The sixth-gen fighter program seeks to have a demonstrator begin flight testing next year, with full-scale production slated to begin by 2031. The goal of the GCAP program is to field replacements for the aging European Eurofighter Typhoon and Japanese Mitsubishi F-2 fleets now in service.
Canada had sought to acquire the F-35 to replace its CF-18 fighters, a domestic variant of the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet in the 1980s.
Given the enormous costs of the project, Canada’s entry would be welcome, as it could provide additional procurement funding and industrial capabilities. It would also provide additional opportunities for Canadian aerospace firms to participate in the program’s research and development (R&D).
As with other sixth-generation aircraft efforts, GCAP ultimately entails more than a single aircraft, and its optionally manned multirole fighter is on track to be supported by unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
How Soon Could Canada Become an Observer in GCAP?
Any Canadian involvement in GCAP is still in its infancy. Yet, a formal announcement could be made as soon as July, when the defense ministers of the core members are slated to meet in the United Kingdom, where they are likely to review progress to date.
Last month, Japanese Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and Canadian Minister David McGuinty met in Tokyo, where the groundwork was laid for Canada’s entry as an observer.
Adding a member will help share costs and ensure greater interoperability with allied forces. Canada, Italy, and the UK are all members of NATO, and each has maintained close ties with Japan.
GCAP’s Star Is Rising—While FCAS’ Is Falling
Even before Ottawa expressed interest in joining GCAP, there had been speculation that Australia, India, and Saudi Arabia would join in some capacity. That could further offset the costs and increase interoperability.
However, Japan has expressed concerns about expanding full membership, as that could slow development if all the partners aren’t in agreement on key issues.
That is a valid concern.
The competing Future Combat Air System (FCAS), the joint Franco-German-Spanish program to develop a sixth-generation manned fighter and supporting systems, has been mired in infighting between the French-based Dassault and Germany’s Airbus over the level of workload sharing and matters related to intellectual property. FCAS has been in jeopardy of crashing and burning for some time, and it is possible Germany could bail out and seek a way into GCAP, even as Belgium has expressed interest in becoming an FCAS partner.
In the short term, Canada’s interest in GCAP may have Ottawa rethinking its acquisition of the F-35 Lightning II. If carried to completion, it also means that the United States shouldn’t expect its neighbor to the north to be a major operator of the Boeing F-47, the sixth-generation manned fighter at the center of the US Air Force’s Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program.
With Europe already working on two sixth-generation programs, that market may also be closed to F-47 sales. The bigger consideration could be that if NGAD faces delays, Canada could operate a sixth-gen fighter before America!
About the Author: Peter Suciu
Peter Suciu has contributed to dozens of newspapers, magazines and websites over a 30-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a contributing writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. He is based in Michigan. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: Editor@nationalinterest.org.