Green light of the European Commission to joint venture Among the British defense company Bae systemthe Japanese body Jaiec (Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co.) which represents the interests of the aerospace industry of the Rising Sun and the Italian Leonardofor the Global Combat Air Program project, relating to new ones Sixth generation hunting planes.
The GCAP project
The operation mainly concerns multipurpose combat planes, That is, military planes designed for different types of missions.
The project Global Combat Air Programborn at the end of 2022, is a multinational project that involves Japan, Italy, the United Kingdom, for the development of stealth multi -riding hunting, sixth generation, Union fruit of the Anglo-Italian project “Tempest” and the Japanese project “FX”.
The new hunting planes will go to renew the fleets of the aeronautics of the three countries – The Italian Military Air Force, the Japanese Koku Jieitai and the United Kingdom Royal Air Force by, starting from 2035, the Eurofighter Typhoon supplied to the armed forces of Italy and the United Kingdom, and the Mitsubishi F-2 of the Japanese Air Force. The new jets they will also be able to be exported. The JV will constitute the main contractor and the supplement of the main systems intended for aircraft.
The commission investigation
The Commission examined the impact of the Competition operation, mainly in relation to the Italian market under the jurisdiction of the EU. Based on its market survey, The EU has ascertained that the notified operation does not raise problems in terms of competition, Given the absence of overlaps between the activities of the companies involved, mainly on the Italian market. The Commission therefore concluded that the proposed operation does not raise problems in terms of competition in the single market and therefore has it authorized without condition.
The increase in defense expenses
The project is part of theIncrease in defense expensesboth in the EU and in Great Britain, with the aim of reaching 3% of GDP as desired by NATO.
Just yesterday, the British premier Keir Starmer He raised the veil on the defense plan, affirming “if we want to discourage a conflict, the best way is to prepare for a conflict”. And so, the United Kingdom is preparing to counter the threat of Russia by attacking and bringing the Defense expenses to 3% de GDP from 2034.
As for theEUthe expenditure for the defense is constantly increasing: between 2021 and 2024 it increased by more than 30%, reaching an estimated amount of 326 billion euros., equivalent to 1.9% of the EU GDP. In March 2025 the European Commission announced the Piano “Rearm Europe/READINESS 2030”which is estimated to mobilize up to 800 billion eurosoffering loan member states of up to 150 billion euros, up to 1.5% of the annual GDP, without incurring excessive deficit sanctions.
