Mitsubishi Electric to start industrial buildup for GCAP fighter
The Japanese company is a key participant in the Global Combat Air Program, which aims to deploy a frontline fighter by 2035.
Mitsubishi Electric is set to construct three new facilities to produce electronic systems for a cutting-edge fighter jet being developed in collaboration with Britain and Italy. The Japanese firm, a major player in the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP), anticipates the project will bolster profits by the end of the decade, according to its chief financial officer.
The company's expansion plans signal the GCAP is transitioning from conceptual stages to industrial production. Kenichiro Fujimoto, the CFO, believes the facilities could start generating revenue by fiscal 2029 or 2030. The GCAP, led by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Japan, BAE Systems in Britain, and Leonardo in Italy, also includes Canada as an observer and potential partners from Germany and Saudi Arabia, though new members should not delay the 2035 launch.
Mitsubishi Electric aims to double its defense business sales to ¥690 billion ($4.4 billion) by March 2031, with GCAP work and exports, including Japan's Mogami-class warships for Australia and AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles made by U.S. company RTX, contributing significantly to this growth. Japan recently relaxed arms export restrictions to bolster its defense industry, with Fujimoto noting the potential for increased business as the U.S. replenishes its missile stocks after conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.
Written by urgent.news from Japan Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
