Meeting Overview
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is scheduled to meet Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Sunday to discuss the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), a trilateral effort with Italy to develop a next‑generation fighter aircraft slated for entry into service by 2035. The talks come amid lingering uncertainty over the United Kingdom’s financial commitment to the project.
UK Funding Situation
The UK had been expected to announce a multi‑billion‑pound contribution to GCAP as part of its broader defence investment strategy, but the announcement has been delayed due to internal disagreements over spending priorities and the recent departure of Defence Secretary John Healey. While the government reaffirmed its commitment to the fighter jet programme, it did not disclose any updated funding figures.
Japanese Financial Commitment
Japan has already allocated substantial resources, spending more than ¥500 billion on the initiative over the five‑year period ending March 2026. In addition, the Japanese government has earmarked an extra ¥170 billion for the current fiscal year, underscoring the programme’s strategic importance as Japan prepares to replace its aging F‑2 fighter fleet beginning in 2035.
Italian Funding Contribution
Italy’s parliament approved a funding package of approximately $10.7 billion earlier in 2026, providing the third pillar of financial support for the GCAP effort.
Expanded UK‑Japan Economic and Technology Cooperation
Beyond the defence collaboration, Starmer and Takaichi are expected to review plans for a new council aimed at strengthening industrial cooperation between the United Kingdom and Japan. The council’s agenda will focus on artificial intelligence, unmanned aerial systems (drones), semiconductors, quantum technologies, supply‑chain resilience, and offshore wind energy. Japanese media reports also indicate that the two governments intend to launch a new fund to support startups developing dual‑use technologies that have both commercial and defence applications.
Geopolitical Context
The bilateral meeting is set to take place ahead of the Group of Seven (G7) summit in France, where discussions on geopolitical developments, economic security, and technology cooperation are expected to feature prominently on the agenda.