The future of the Tempest fighter jet program is secure, according to a top executive overseeing its development. Masami Oka, chief executive of the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), expressed confidence that the British government remains committed to the project.
Tempest is a collaborative effort involving the United Kingdom, Italy, and Japan. Reports indicate that Canada is expected to join the initiative soon, further solidifying its international scope.
Despite past concerns regarding Britain's commitment, particularly as the current Prime Minister is reportedly set to miss the Farnborough Airshow, Oka stated, "My personal view is that the Government has already committed to this programme."
Marco Zoff, boss of Edgewing, the industrial joint venture behind GCAP, echoed this sentiment, asserting that there have never been any doubts about Britain's commitment to the program.
Tempest was among the projects that received funding from Labour's recent £15 billion Defence Investment Plan. However, the plan has been noted to have a £5 billion funding gap.