First look at UK’s £12,000,000,000 next generation combat aircraft programme

New fighter jets set to replace the RAF’s Typhoons have been seen for the first time.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is collaborating with Italy and Japan to create a new generation of military planes: the Tempest jet fighter programme.

The Tempest is set to enter service in 2035, to fill the gap left by Typhoons when they’re decommissioned during the next decade.

Work on the new jets, developed under the global combat air programme (GCAP), is going well, MPs have been told – but concerns have been raised about possible overspending on the £12billion budget.

Commons Defence Committee chairman Tan Dhesi said: ‘While today’s report welcomes GCAP, it also cautions that the MoD (Ministry of Defence) must have a firm grip on the programme.

‘All too often multilateral defence programmes are beset with soaring costs and mounting delays. GCAP must break the mould.’

The Eurofighter Typhoon, created alongside Italy, Germany and Spain, suffered ‘structural failings’ and ‘unnecessary delay and cost’, MPs said, adding they wanted to avoid these problems.

‘We are encouraged that this imperative has been recognised by both the MoD and industry,’ the Commons report said.

‘It was clear from our visit to Italy that they, having also experienced the delays that had been caused on Typhoon, had drawn the same conclusions and meeting the 2035 target date is critical for Japan.’

The MPs added that ‘with the defence budget under increasing pressure, it is incumbent on both government and industry to keep tight control of costs as GCAP progresses’.

Several companies including BAE Systems, Rolls Royce, Leonardo and MBDA have teamed up with the MoD to create the Tempest.

A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: ‘The report rightly highlights the importance of GCAP for the UK’s military capabilities, economic growth and international partnerships, as well as the substantial progress being made.

‘All GCAP partners are fully focused on the 2035 target date to deliver a world-leading combat aircraft, helping keep us ahead of new and evolving threats for decades to come.’

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