BAE Systems, Leonardo, Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Launch Combat Aircraft JV

By Adam Whittaker

BAE Systems, Leonardo, and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement launched a joint venture, called Edgewing, that will design and develop a next-generation combat aircraft.

Edgewing will develop the aircraft under security alliance Global Combat Air Programme and is set to be in service in 2035. It will subcontract the manufacturing and final assembly of the aircraft to BAE Systems, Leonardo and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Leonardo said.

The three partners will each hold a 33.3% shareholding in the business. Marco Zoff will serve as the first chief executive officer. He was formerly the managing director of Leonardo Aircraft Division, Leonardo said.

The position of chairman will rotate between the three shareholders with the first chair being BAE Systems' Herman Claesen, Leonardo said. Claesen is currently the managing director of Future Combat Air Systems at BAE Systems Air.

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(END) Dow Jones Newswires

06-20-25 0805ET