Industry Partners Launch Joint Venture Company Edgewing to Deliver Next Generation Combat Aircraft

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A new chapter in global defence collaboration began with the official launch of Edgewing, a joint venture bringing together international aerospace leaders BAE Systems (UK), Leonardo (Italy) and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co. Ltd. (Japan).

Edgewing will be accountable for the design and development of the next generation combat aircraft and will remain the design authority for the life of the product, which is expected to go out beyond 2070.

The newly formed entity will play a central role in achieving the programme’s ambitious goals - including the in-service date of 2035 - while setting a new benchmark for trilateral industrial partnership across Europe and Asia.

Marco Zoff will be the first Chief Executive Officer of Edgewing. Formerly the Managing Director of Leonardo Aircraft Division, Zoff brings extensive leadership experience in international aerospace collaboration and innovation

Marco Zoff, Chief Executive Officer Edgewing said: “We are incredibly excited to launch Edgewing at the heart of the Global Combat Air Programme.

“By uniting the strengths of our talented people in UK, Italy, and Japan, we are not only delivering the next-generation combat air system—we aim to set a new global standard for partnership, innovation and trust. Together, we will push boundaries, embrace agility, enhance our national supply chains and create a legacy of security and prosperity for our nations and future generations.”

Masami Oka, Chief Executive, GCAP International Government Organisation (GIGO) said:

“We welcome the launch of Edgewing, which represents an important step forward in what will be a truly international joint development programme. Effective and empowered collaboration between the GIGO and Edgewing will be critical for the success of GCAP. I am confident that together we can establish a new model of partnership that will promote international integration, mutual trust and a shared commitment to our future.”

The Company will have operations and joint teams working in each of the partner nations and will be headquartered in the UK, to ensure maximum alignment and collaboration with the GIGO.

GCAP is a hugely significant programme for the security and economic prosperity of each nation and through effective knowledge and technology transfer, it will help to evolve and build resilient supply chains and deliver important sovereign combat air capability in each nation for generations to come.