International Immunities and Privileges

The Minister responsible for the Indo-Pacific in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has delivered a statement in the House of Commons regarding the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP). The Minister began by moving that the draft GCAP International Government Organisation (Immunities and Privileges) Order 2024, which was laid before the House on 23 May in the last session of Parliament, be approved. The Minister explained that in December 2022, the UK, Japan, and Italy launched the GCAP to deliver a next-generation aircraft by 2035. The Minister noted that the Prime Minister has reaffirmed the Government's commitment to promoting cooperation and collaboration between the UK and Italy, as well as the UK and Japan, on this program. The Minister stated that the Prime Minister concurred with the Japanese Prime Minister that the security of the Euro-Atlantic and the Indo-Pacific are indivisible. The Minister emphasized that the UK Government is committed to ensuring the security of the Indo-Pacific, working closely with its allies. The Minister explained that the aircraft developed through the GCAP will sit at the heart of a wider system, being networked and collaborating with a range of wider air capabilities, including the F-35, and broader military capabilities. The Minister stated that the system will use information systems, weapons, and uncrewed collaborative combat air platforms to complete the capability, replacing the capability provided by Typhoon and sustaining the UK's operational advantage. Furthermore, the Minister highlighted that the GCAP will attract investment in research and development on digital design and advanced manufacturing processes, providing opportunities for the next generation of highly skilled engineers and technicians.