Saudi Arabia is making significant strides towards acquiring a sixth-generation fighter aircraft, as it moves closer to joining the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP). Launched in 2022, the GCAP is a collaborative initiative aimed at designing, manufacturing, and delivering a next-generation crewed combat aircraft. The program is being led by Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Italy’s Leonardo, and Britain’s BAE Systems, who are working as system integrators with the goal of inducting the first aircraft developed under this program by 2035.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni recently addressed Saudi Arabia’s potential entry into the GCAP, stating that Italy is in favor of the country joining the program, though she acknowledged that it would not be an immediate process. “We are in favor of the Saudis entering, but clearly this will not be immediate,” Meloni explained, emphasizing that the specifics of the GCAP still need to be ironed out among the three founding nations. She also noted that expanding the multibillion-euro initiative to include a fourth country will take time and that there is no clear timeline for when this might happen.
The possibility of Saudi Arabia joining the GCAP has been discussed for some time. In November 2024, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani mentioned that the GCAP partnership could likely be extended to Saudi Arabia in the future, with the collaboration potentially enhancing the kingdom’s defense capabilities. The entry of Saudi Arabia into the project would further solidify its position as a key player in the advanced defense technology space.
As discussions around the future of the GCAP unfold, Saudi Arabia’s potential involvement represents a significant shift in global defense collaborations. With its vast investment in military modernization and the pursuit of cutting-edge technology, the kingdom’s entry into the GCAP could bring considerable benefits to both Saudi Arabia and the existing member states. However, as Meloni noted, the precise details and timeline for Saudi Arabia’s inclusion remain to be determined as the program continues to evolve.
