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LONDON, July 21 (Reuters) - Canada will join the next-generation fighter jet programme set up by Britain, Italy and Japan as the first "observer nation", giving it privileged access to the project and paving the way for future participation, the partners said on Tuesday.
Britain, Italy and Japan launched the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) in 2022 to develop a next-generation stealth fighter by 2035, led by Britain's BAE Systems, Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Italy's Leonardo.
Canada will gain direct insight into GCAP, including capability development, industrial collaboration and long-term delivery plans, the partners said. It does not include any financial commitment.
The announcement represents another step in Canada's efforts to diversify its defence spending away from the United States and forge closer ties with European countries and mid-tier nations, as set out by Prime Minister Mark Carney.
The agreement, previously reported by Reuters and others citing sources, was announced as Britain's new defence secretary Wes Streeting hosted his Japanese, Italian and Canadian counterparts on his first full day in the role.
"GCAP continues to strengthen our security, drive technological innovation and create highly skilled jobs across the UK," he said in a statement.
"We are proud to welcome Canada to this new phase of engagement and look forward to sharing expertise and working on technological advances as we continue to deliver this groundbreaking programme."
GCAP , one of two major Western sixth-generation fighter projects alongside the U.S. Air Force's Next Generation Air Dominance program, aims to develop a jet designed to operate alongside the likes of the F-35.
Canadian Defence Minister David McGuinty told Reuters in Tokyo last month that he had discussed GCAP with his Japanese counterpart to learn more about what he described as a "promising initiative."
(Reporting by Paul Sandle; Editing by Aidan Lewis)
