Fears have been raised about the future of the programme to build the RAF’s next high-tech fighter due to disarray over Labour’s defence spending plans.
The Tempest Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) is a joint venture between the UK, Italy and Japan to build a sixth-generation stealth jet, with a proposed target of 2035 for it to enter service.
Ahead of this a UK-funded ‘combat air demonstrator’ is currently being built at BAE Systems in Lancashire to act as a supersonic testbed for new technologies that could feed into the multinational programme.
It has been earmarked to take its first flight by the end of next year, but the Ministry of Defence is now silent on whether the December 2027 deadline is still in place, as concern grows over the wider Defence Investment Plan (DIP).
Liberal Democrat defence spokesman James MacCleary tabled a written question to the MoD in May asking about the deadline, but despite it being required to respond by June 2 he has yet to receive a reply.
The MoD has also not responded to a request from the Daily Mail for clarity.
Labour ministers are embroiled in a major row over the scale of the DIP, with expectations that the Treasury wants to limit the spending boost to less than half the £28billion experts believe is required.
Defence Secretary John Healey stunned Westminster this morning by resigning with a blast at the money on offer.
According to reports, Japan is concerned by Britain’s failure to deliver on an overdue £6billion investment in GCAP.
The Tempest Global Combat Air Programme is a joint venture between the UK, Italy and Japan to build a sixth-generation stealth jet
Mr MacCleary told the Daily Mail: ‘Ministers cannot keep asking industry to invest in the future of our defence capabilities while refusing to provide clarity on their own plans.
‘Defence companies across the sector, from major primes to innovative SMEs, are all telling me the same thing: this continued uncertainty is delaying decisions, holding back investment, and making it harder for companies to plan for the long term.
‘It is particularly damaging for programmes such as Tempest, which depend on confidence, continuity and long-term commitment from the Government.
‘Ministers need to stop dragging their feet and finally provide the clarity that industry, our international partners, and our Armed Forces urgently need.’
The Daily Mail’s Don’t Leave Britain Defenceless campaign has been pushing Labour to boost spending for the Armed Forces.
The GCAP Tempest is set to be a highly advanced aircraft fully compatible with AI and drones.
It is due to fly alongside and then replace the RAF’s ageing Typhoon jets, which entered service in 2003, from around 2040.
Last summer BAE told the Daily Mail the demonstrator would be ‘ready for first flight’ by December 2027, although the exact date was still to be finalised.
And today a spokeswoman said the firm was making ‘strong progress’, adding: ‘We remain on track to ensure the aircraft is ready by the end of 2027; the exact timing of first flight will be driven by UK regulatory approval, airworthiness clearance and alignment with Global Combat Air Programme priorities.’
Liberal Democrat defence spokesman James MacCleary tabled a written question to the MoD in May asking about the deadline, but despite it being required to respond by June 2 he has yet to receive a reply
The Financial Times has reported how Japan is growing anxious about Britain’s commitment to the programme.
Britain’s failure to put up £6billion to cover design and development costs was apparently raised on Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper’s visit to Japan in April.
The sum is being held up by the Treasury and Labour’s failure to publish DIP, according to the outlet.
More than 4,000 UK defence manufacturing jobs could be lost should the GCAP Tempest collaboration between Britain, Japan and Italy collapse.
Labour faced outrage last night over claims billions of pounds have been slashed from a proposed boost to defence.
The Treasury is understood to have cut £5billion from an increase in Armed Forces investment to meet the threat posed by Russia.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has clawed back the sum despite Labour’s advisers warning Britain could be in direct conflict with Moscow within three years.
The compromise thrashed out by Ms Reeves, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and the Defence Secretary would see a proposed £18billion surge in defence spending reduced to £13billion over four years.
The DIP, which should have been published last year, has been redrafted despite last year’s Strategic Defence Review recommending a £28billion boost to defence spending is required.
Last night Sky News reported that the Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton, has written to the PM with his concerns about the cash available.
Tory MP and former Army officer Ben Obese-Jecty said: ‘The fact that the Chief of the Defence Staff has now had to intervene in the fiasco that is the Defence Investment Plan shows how far away it still is from being ready.
‘I’m sure Keir Starmer and John Healey were hoping to announce new funding for GCAP ahead of the Japanese Prime Minister’s arrival on Saturday and other big ticket items like AUKUS and more funding for Ajax [armoured vehicles].
‘The question should be what hasn’t made the cut?’
