Why the GCAP Electronics Evolution consortium could redefine fighter jet dominance for decades

In a major milestone for the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), Mitsubishi Electric, Leonardo UK, Leonardo Italy, and ELT Group have formed a new industrial consortium dedicated to developing advanced electronics for the next generation of fighter aircraft. The group, named GCAP Electronics Evolution (G2E), represents the formalization of trilateral cooperation between Japan, the United Kingdom, and Italy, and signals the start of one of the program’s most technologically demanding phases.

The consortium will be tasked with delivering the fighter’s Integrated Sensing and Non-Kinetic Effects & Integrated Communications Systems (ISANKE & ICS), the core suite of capabilities that will underpin how GCAP aircraft detect, analyze, and distribute information across future battlefields. The launch of G2E also marks the establishment of a long-term commercial entity capable of handling through-life contracts and sustaining the program over multiple decades.

Why did Mitsubishi Electric, Leonardo, and ELT Group establish GCAP Electronics Evolution?

The decision to create G2E follows nearly two years of trilateral work. In March 2023, the three nations first announced at DSEI Japan their intent to collaborate on next-generation fighter technologies. That announcement was followed by a series of studies, industrial alignments, and government-to-government consultations. In August 2025, the partners formalized their arrangement by signing a consortium agreement that transformed earlier cooperation into a structured commercial construct.

By moving from exploratory collaboration to a formal consortium, the partners gained the industrial credibility needed to receive contracts from Edgewing, the joint venture of BAE Systems, Leonardo, and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co. Ltd. Edgewing, which acts as the lead systems integrator for GCAP, required a dedicated industrial consortium to deliver ISANKE & ICS. G2E therefore represents the industrial mechanism through which commitments made at the government level will be realized in practice.

What role will the consortium play in advancing GCAP’s combat capabilities?

At the heart of the consortium’s responsibilities lies the delivery of ISANKE & ICS, a capability designed to integrate radar, electronic warfare, communications, and cyber functions into a seamless architecture. Unlike earlier generations of fighters, where sensors operated in isolated silos, ISANKE & ICS fuses inputs into a coherent operating picture that can be shared in real time with allied forces.

This level of integration reflects the doctrinal shift underway in global defense toward multi-domain operations. In such an environment, a fighter jet is not only a platform for delivering weapons but also a powerful node in an information-sharing web. Analysts note that this is the defining characteristic of sixth-generation programs like GCAP and the European Future Combat Air System (FCAS).

In addition to development, the consortium will provide Through-Life Support Services (TLSS), guaranteeing that the system remains adaptive to emerging threats over several decades. This ensures that ISANKE & ICS is not frozen in time but evolves with new technologies, adversary capabilities, and operational doctrines.

How does GCAP Electronics Evolution support the defense strategies of Japan, the UK, and Italy?

Each participating nation sees strategic value in the consortium. For Japan, Mitsubishi Electric’s role underscores Tokyo’s intent to strengthen its domestic defense industrial base while embedding Japanese companies into global supply chains. The UK’s Leonardo UK unit reinforces Britain’s ambition to position itself as a leader in sixth-generation technologies, complementing its transition from the Eurofighter Typhoon to new platforms.

For Italy, the dual participation of Leonardo and ELT Group aligns with Rome’s industrial policy of ensuring its national champions play integral roles in international projects. ELT Group’s expertise in electronic warfare brings specialized capabilities in signals dominance and countermeasures, while Leonardo adds continuity from previous major programs such as Eurofighter and F-35.

The consortium’s leadership headquarters will be located in Reading, UK, close to the GCAP International Government Organisation (GIGO) and Edgewing. This geographical choice ensures close coordination with government ministries of defense and systems integrators, allowing faster alignment between industrial execution and national requirements.

Why is integrated sensing and communications considered a defining element of sixth-generation fighters?

While stealth and speed defined earlier generations of combat aircraft, analysts argue that sixth-generation fighters will be measured by their ability to dominate the information battlespace. ISANKE & ICS embodies this evolution by merging radar, electronic support measures, secure communications, and cyber resilience into a unified system.

This integrated approach will enable aircraft to carry out advanced non-kinetic effects such as electronic attack and cyber disruption alongside traditional kinetic operations. It also ensures seamless data sharing with allied systems, from drones to space-based sensors. The goal is to provide pilots and commanders with decision-quality information faster than adversaries, securing a critical advantage in contested environments.

The F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II pioneered sensor fusion, but GCAP intends to surpass them by embedding fighters into a broader ecosystem of multi-domain assets. In this way, ISANKE & ICS is not just a technological component but the central differentiator that will set GCAP apart from earlier platforms.

How does the consortium reflect broader trends in defense cooperation between Europe and Asia?

The launch of G2E highlights deepening trilateral cooperation between Europe and Asia in advanced defense technologies. For Europe, the program demonstrates the continent’s willingness to pursue ambitious cross-border initiatives even as other countries, such as France, Germany, and Spain, press ahead with the rival FCAS program. For Asia, Japan’s involvement underscores a willingness to move beyond traditional procurement into leadership roles within multinational defense projects.

This cooperation also has transatlantic implications. Although the United States is not directly involved in GCAP, the integration of Japan with European partners aligns with Washington’s strategic interest in strengthening interoperability across allied air forces. In effect, GCAP not only produces a fighter but also builds the industrial and operational bridges between Europe and the Indo-Pacific.

What are the economic and workforce implications of the GCAP Electronics Evolution consortium?

Beyond defense capability, the consortium promises significant economic and employment benefits. By pooling expertise across three countries, G2E ensures that thousands of skilled jobs in electronics, software engineering, and systems integration are sustained for decades.

For the UK, establishing the leadership hub in Reading consolidates high-value aerospace employment. Italy will benefit from technology transfer and industrial contracts through Leonardo and ELT Group, while Japan secures domestic jobs and deepens its role in international defense markets. Over the fighter’s lifecycle, the through-life support obligations mean that engineering teams will remain engaged well beyond initial production, making the program a cornerstone of industrial strategy in all three countries.

The commitment to national freedom of action and modification further ensures that each partner retains sovereignty over how the technology is upgraded, a key requirement in an era of contested global supply chains.

What are the financial and investor implications of GCAP’s next phase?

While Mitsubishi Electric and ELT Group remain privately held or outside public market visibility, other firms involved in GCAP are publicly traded. BAE Systems (LSE: BA), as a co-lead of Edgewing, is positioned to benefit from stable, long-term revenue flows linked to GCAP integration. Leonardo (BIT: LDO), with its dual UK and Italian roles, could see renewed investor interest in its electronics and defense solutions division.

Analysts covering European defense equities emphasize that sixth-generation fighter programs provide multi-decade cash flow visibility and opportunities for export. Institutional sentiment remains positive, with buy recommendations on BAE Systems and a cautiously optimistic stance on Leonardo given Italy’s central role in GCAP.

Broader defense sector flows also show resilience. European defense ETFs have outperformed broader indices since 2022, with institutional investors favoring exposure to programs like GCAP that combine technological leadership with strong geopolitical alignment.

How does the GCAP Electronics Evolution consortium set the stage for the future of air combat?

The establishment of G2E is more than a contractual milestone; it represents the creation of an industrial engine designed to deliver the defining technological edge of GCAP. By consolidating the expertise of Mitsubishi Electric, Leonardo, and ELT Group, the consortium is positioned to make ISANKE & ICS not just a subsystem, but the cornerstone of the fighter’s operational relevance.

For defense ministries, G2E’s launch provides confidence that the program will meet ambitious timelines while safeguarding sovereignty and freedom of modification. For the defense industry, the consortium strengthens the pipeline of long-term projects that sustain industrial competitiveness across Europe and Asia.

In strategic terms, GCAP’s electronics consortium reflects the reality that future wars will be decided as much by control of the electromagnetic spectrum and data networks as by weapons and speed. In this respect, the GCAP Electronics Evolution consortium embodies the future of combat aviation—where dominance depends on information first and firepower second.