3rd report - The Global Combat Air Programme
Select Committee
Defence Committee
HC 598
14 January 2025
Government response
2nd Special Report - The Global Combat Air Programme: Government Response · published 21 Mar 2025
Recommendations & Conclusions
3 results
9
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Support and encourage Japan's legislative progress to enable successful GCAP fighter exports.
Conclusion
The Committee was greatly encouraged by Japan’s recognition of the importance of exports to their GCAP partners. Nonetheless, Japan’s inexperience as a defence exporter is likely to present unique challenges for GCAP which were not in evidence for Typhoon. The …
Read more
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the importance of exportability, states future exports are recognized in the GCAP treaty, and expresses confidence that partners are implementing necessary policy measures to achieve export goals.
Ministry of Defence
View Details
12
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Failure to capitalise on Hawk success led to loss of UK manufacturing capacity.
Conclusion
The Hawk trainer aircraft has been a UK defence export success story, but with domestic production lines closing four years ago the skills and manufacturing capacity which had built up over decades will prove challenging and costly to regenerate. We …
Read more
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges that further investment is needed for the Hawk T2 to meet its 2040 out-of-service date and is currently assessing alternative options for the program.
Ministry of Defence
View Details
15
Conclusion
Acknowledged
GCAP must break the mould of previous multilateral defence programme failures.
Conclusion
Whilst progress to date has been positive, previous multilateral defence programmes have frequently seen costs spiral and delays pile up and GCAP will have to break the mould if it is to achieve its ambitious target date. Decisions made at …
Read more
Government Response Summary
The government expresses gratitude for the report and affirms GCAP has been designed to learn lessons from previous programs, acknowledging the importance of the program and commitment to working with partners and Parliament.
Ministry of Defence
View Details