First look at UK’s £12,000,000,000 next generation combat aircraft programme
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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.
![[COMPUTER GENERATED IMAGE - CGI IMAGE Undated handout computer generated image (CGI) issued by BAE Systems of the latest concept model of the UK's next generation combat aircraft, the Tempest. Ministers have been warned to keep a tight grip on the budget of the ?12 billion Tempest jet fighter programme after problems with other international collaborations. The plane, due to enter service in 2035, is being developed with Italy and Japan under the global combat air programme (GCAP). Issue date: Tuesday January 14, 2025. PA Photo. See PA story DEFENCE GCAP. Photo credit should read: BAE Systems/PA Wire]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_235904059-87bc.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
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.
![[EMBARGOED UNTIL 22:00 BST 21 JULY 2024. CGI image of the Tempest design. A new concept model of UK?s next generation combat aircraft - Tempest - has been unveiled. Described as the next supersonic stealth fighter, the cutting-edge aircraft is set to join the RAF fleet from 2035, replacing the Typhoon. The three nations of the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) ? UK, Italy and Japan ? showed off the design at the Farnborough International Airshow on Monday (22 July).]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_213622605-65c6.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
‘All too often multilateral defence programmes are beset with soaring costs and mounting delays. GCAP must break the mould.’. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video.
Up Next. 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.
