According to a Leonardo executive, a British review of defence policy will not affect a multi-billion dollar fighter jet project being developed by Italy and Japan, as well as the United Kingdom.

The Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) is being developed by BAE Systems in Britain, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Japan and Leonardo in Italy. It envisions stealth fighters working alongside drones.

The first aircraft is expected to enter service by 2035.

Keir starmer, the British Prime Minister, said that GCAP is "an important program" but did not guarantee it would be unaffected by the Defence Review.

After the review report is released next year, there has been speculation about Starmer's new Labour Government possibly downgrading or cancelling the program.

Lorenzo Mariani said that the project of the jet fighter was too important to cut for the three countries and European security in general.

Mariani said in an interview that "normally those processes are quick, conclusive and swift here in the UK. I am optimistic... the program will overcome this review."

The United States said that it was reviewing the size of a future fighter platform similar to the Next Generation Air Dominance.

France, Germany, and Spain all have their own projects for next-generation fighters. This has led some to wonder if Europe can sustain such programmes that could last two decades, each of which could cost tens or even hundreds of billions dollars.

Mariani stated that it is possible for the two programs to have interoperable equipment. This includes drones, laser weapons and missiles as well as computing power.

He said that the most important thing was to ensure as much commonality as possible in these systems. (Reporting and editing by Mark Potter; Reporting by Joe Brock)