Commons Sense

House of Commons · General Debate

Global Combat Air Programme 2025-01-20

20 January 2025 · 11 other contributors

Opened by Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi Lab Slough

Defence

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi raised concerns about global combat air programme 2025-01-20 in the House of Commons. Other MPs contributed to the debate.

Key points

  • The UK has a history of developing iconic fighter jets like the Spitfire and Typhoon.
  • The Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) is a collaboration with Japan and Italy to deliver a next-generation fighter aircraft by 2035.
  • Challenges include ensuring transparency about costs and adapting to emerging technologies.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi Lab Slough

The UK is a world leader in combat air, having developed iconic fighter jets like the Spitfire and Typhoon. GCAP, an international collaboration with Japan and Italy aimed at delivering a next-generation fighter aircraft by 2035, promises national sovereignty in combat air, strengthened relationships with allies, and boosted defence industrial capacity. However, delivering on this ambitious programme will be challenging and requires transparency about costs, learning from past mistakes, flexibility to adapt to emerging technologies, and addressing workforce challenges.

Other contributors (11)
  • James Cartlidge Con South Suffolk

    Supports GCAP for continuing the UK's tradition in combat air and emphasises the importance of financial transparency to ensure adequate funding for both the Tempest platform and associated technologies. He stresses that these advancements could enhance the RAF's lethality before 2035.

  • Derek Twigg Lab Widnes and Halewood

    Acknowledges the tremendous enthusiasm from GCAP partners in Japan and Italy, highlighting the project's importance for their defence industrial base. Emphasises that if the UK does not commit wholeheartedly to GCAP, it will be detrimental to national interests.

  • Julian Lewis Con New Forest East

    Questions the presentation of GCAP and its components beyond the Tempest airframe. Expresses concern about whether the programme can meet its ambitious targets given the fast-moving technological landscape.

  • Calvin Bailey Lab Leyton and Wanstead

    Highlights the need for jet training solutions following the closure of Hawk aircraft production, which has led to a missed opportunity in the global market. Urges the inclusion of jet trainers as an essential part of GCAP's training system.

  • Calum Miller LD Bicester and Woodstock

    Inquires about the Committee's intention to look at agile procurement methods seen in Ukraine during this Parliament, suggesting that lessons learned could be beneficial for UK defence programmes.

  • Will Stone Lab Swindon North

    Asks whether potential new partners such as Saudi Arabia might join GCAP. The Committee's report warns of the need for careful consideration to ensure that adding new partners does not jeopardise the 2035 target date.

  • Ian Roome LD North Devon

    Advocates for a similar commitment from the UK Government in terms of multi-year funding plans to give confidence to industry, as seen with Japanese and Italian partners.

  • Graeme Downie Lab Dunfermline and Dollar

    Asked about the export potential of Tempest and suggested the possibility of informal collaboration between consortia pursuing sixth-generation fighters for knowledge sharing.

  • Robin Swann UUP South Antrim

    Inquired about the flexibility in GCAP to accommodate a range of uncrewed solutions as part of the RAF’s autonomous collaborative platform strategy.

  • Richard Foord LD Honiton and Sidmouth

    Asked Mr Dhesi about the benefits and risks of adding Saudi Arabia to the programme, highlighting previous overestimations in export potential from multilateral fighter jet programmes.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Discussed the importance of skilled workers in Northern Ireland for transferring GCAP skills through both smaller and larger operations and contracts.

Shadow Response

James Cartlidge

The Opposition strongly supports GCAP for continuing the UK's tradition in combat air. Emphasises the need for financial transparency to ensure adequate funding for both the Tempest platform and associated technologies that could enhance the RAF's lethality before 2035.

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