“My focus is on maximizing our deterrence and ensuring that should deterrence fail, we’re ready to fight and win alongside allies,” Defence Secretary Streeting stated with counterparts from Italy, Japan, and Canada near Buckingham Palace as they announced Ottawa’s observer role.
The Global Combat Air Programme involves “reindustrialization and building back up our production capacity, so we can provide our armed forces with the necessary equipment, along with building and buying British, to create good jobs in communities across our country,” Streeting noted.
On Monday, outside Downing Street, Burnham, who replaced Keir Starmer this week, emphasized that “reindustrializing Britain” will be a major focus as PM. “We are committed to our defense promises — and will use that investment to change people’s lives,” Burnham declared regarding the fighter jet project.
The British government allocated £8.6 billion for the jet over the next four years in its Defence Investment Plan.
The sixth-gen fighter jet currently supports 4,500 jobs in the U.K. through about 600 firms in the supply chain nationwide.
As the first observer nation in the project, “Canada will gain direct insight and privileged access into GCAP, including capability development, industrial collaboration, and long-term delivery plans,” Streeting mentioned. While there is “no commitment” for Canada to purchase the jet, he added that it will initiate discussions with Canada regarding its aerospace and manufacturing base contributing to the project.
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