- Opening of Global Combat Air
Programme flagship headquarters to support the delivery of a
supersonic stealth fighter jet, equipped with cutting-edge
technologies.
- The programme already supports over
3,500 UK jobs, 1,000 additional apprenticeships, delivering on
the government's Plan for Change, with more to follow as the
programme develops.
- New figures show defence industry
jobs in the South East have increased by 4,500 in just 12 months.
A flagship headquarters that will support delivery of a
supersonic stealth fighter jet has opened in Reading, where
hundreds of skilled personnel will be based.
The new global HQ has been opened today (7 July) in a significant
milestone for the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) – a joint
initiative between the UK, Japan and Italy to develop a
next-generation fighter jet.
The facility will host the GCAP International Government
Organisation (GIGO) and a joint venture company, called Edgewing,
bringing together three industry partners – BAE Systems (UK),
Leonardo (Italy), and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co.
Ltd. (Japan) – responsible for the design and development of the
aircraft.
Opened by Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry Rt Hon
MP today, the new multinational
headquarters will help deliver the GCAP programme, bringing
together the best minds from across three governments and
industry to drive innovation and strengthen each country's combat
air industrial capability, supporting the vision of the Strategic
Defence Review.
The opening comes on the same day as the Defence Secretary met
virtually with Italy's Defence Minister Guido Crosetto and
Japan's Defence Minister Gen Nakatani to discuss the latest
progress on GCAP. The programme is already creating thousands of
highly skilled jobs across the UK, Japan, and Italy, including
new apprentice and graduate roles, and supporting the strong
relationship between industry and the Armed Forces of the three
nations.
There are currently more than 3,500 people, including engineers
and programmers, working on GCAP in the UK. A further 1,000 have
undertaken GCAP-related apprenticeships or training schemes,
supporting the Government's Plan for Change by driving defence as
an engine for economic growth. Many more will follow as the GCAP
programme develops in the years ahead.
Defence Secretary, MP said:
“Opening of this global HQ in Reading underlines the UK's full
commitment to GCAP and demonstrates the steps we are taking with
our partners to deliver for defence.
“The Strategic Defence Review captured that GCAP will deliver
more than cutting-edge military capabilities. It already supports
over 3,500 UK jobs, with many more to follow as the programme
develops. It is also sustaining a world-leading skilled workforce
for the UK's combat air industry and delivering on the
government's Plan for Change.
“Through this work we are helping to ensure the UK remains at the
forefront of combat air power innovation for decades to come and
that defence is engine for growth across the
country.”
Newly published
figures show 151,000 UK jobs are directly supported by the
MOD's spend with industry, an increase of 14,000 on the previous
year. 4,500 of the additional jobs are in the South East,
including Reading, as roles in the region jumped to a total of
38,700.
The opening of the HQ comes after the government announced a
historic commitment to increase defence spending to 2.6% of GDP
by 2027, demonstrating the Government's commitment to keep the UK
secure at home and strong abroad.
