Italy’s GCAP Warplane Cost Rises Sharply in Latest Budget Submission
ROME Italy’s projected spending on the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) has jumped sharply, with the government now estimating its share at approximately 18.6 billion euros (about 21.8 billion U.S. dollars), nearly three times earlier estimates, defense officials told parliament.
The updated figures were submitted this month and are due for review this week by the Senate Defense Commission and the defense committee of the lower house. A vote to approve the funding is expected in coming days.
Background on the GCAP Program
The Global Combat Air Programme is a collaborative effort between the United Kingdom, Japan, and Italy to develop a sixth-generation fighter aircraft. The initiative aims to deliver an advanced combat jet into service by around 2035.
The partnership combines design and development work across the three nations, integrating next-generation technologies such as advanced sensors, communications systems, and optionally unmanned capabilities. Industry leaders from each country, including BAE Systems, Leonardo, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, are engaged under a planned joint venture structure to guide the project.
Budget Update Details
Tripling of Cost Estimates
In 2021 Italian planners estimated that Rome’s share of Phase 1 (Concept Assessment and Preliminary Design) and Phase 2 (Full Development) would total roughly 6 billion euros. The new submission raises that figure to 18.6 billion euros at 2025 prices.
Defense Ministry officials said the revision reflects higher costs tied to technological maturity, expanded testing, and design work. About 2 billion euros have already been allocated, mainly covering early concept work. An additional 16.6 billion euros is needed to complete the initial phases. Of that, 8.8 billion euros is sought now in annual installments through 2037. The remaining 7.8 billion euros is expected to be covered in future budget proposals.
Legislative Process
The updated funding request is currently before the Senate Defense Commission and the defense committee in the lower house. With the governing coalition holding majorities in both, approval is expected to move forward, though opposition parties have raised concerns.
Parliamentary Debate and Political Response
Italy’s opposition Five Star party criticized the budget escalation, calling it unprecedented in scale and questioning the level of detail provided in the government’s explanation. The party noted that the new estimate makes GCAP the most expensive program in Italian military history, overtaking the F-35 initiative that cost roughly 18 billion euros for about 90 aircraft.
In official statements to lawmakers, critics stressed the need for clearer accounting and justification for the surge in projected costs. Discussion in parliament is expected to touch on long-term fiscal impacts and defense priorities.
How GCAP Fits into Broader Defense Strategy
Italy’s increased commitment to GCAP comes as part of a broader trend in defense spending. Recent multi-year budget documents reflect higher allocations for defense and modernization, in line with NATO expectations and evolving security dynamics in Europe. Analysts note that programs like GCAP are seen by participating states as essential for technological sovereignty and future air capability.
Industry efforts tied to GCAP extend beyond the fighter itself. Consortiums have formed to develop integrated sensing and communications systems for the aircraft, affirming industrial commitments across all partner nations.
What’s Next
With parliamentary approval on the horizon, Italy’s defense budget will likely include phased funding for GCAP through the end of the decade. The decision underscores Rome’s long-term focus on next-generation combat aircraft, even as overall defense expenditure remains a topic of domestic debate. Once approved, the expanded budget will support continued design work, testing, and eventual steps toward production.
The GCAP’s progress also strengthens international military cooperation, with the UK and Japan advancing complementary commitments to the joint program. Future discussions may address additional partners or exports, shaping the project’s trajectory well into the 2030s.
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