Canada officially became observer in GCAP (Global Combat Air Programme, main participants are Britain, Japan and Italy) combat aviation program, main direction of which is creating sixth-generation fighter, and although observer status does not provide for participation in project decision-making or direct product procurement, Ottawa received wide range of capabilities including access to information, industrial cooperation possibilities and so on.
Against this backdrop, U.S. already contemplates how this may affect export potential of American aircraft, more precisely their future sixth-generation F-47 fighter from Boeing company — both in Canada context directly and in global dimension.
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And from U.S. Air Force publication Air and Space Forces Magazine it follows military specialists and experts almost unanimously emphasize Canada will hardly ever be buyer of American F-47.
Among reasons may be fact this new sixth-generation fighter will prove very expensive for Ottawa, and procurement decision is not least affected by relations deterioration due to Trump policy — because of this Canada even contemplated abandoning further fifth-generation F-35 fighter procurement, although now considers mixed fleet with Swedish Gripens.
But quite apt thought was expressed by Hudson Institute senior fellow Bryan Clark, who emphasized there are currently no official data that U.S. will indeed export its sixth-generation fighter — besides Trump statements that likely U.S. may sell this aircraft to allies in reduced version. However, quite likely F-47 export will be blocked same as was with F-22.
At the same time, another conclusion American specialists make is important here — that as of today more and more countries strive to have own capabilities regarding combat aviation development, rather than continuing to rely on American systems. This trend may lead to increased cost of American systems and spare parts.
Defense Express notes American aircraft today remain popular in world, especially involving F-35, which as of today is only full fifth-generation fighter available on market. Specifically, range of countries in aircraft choice resort precisely to this argument — that even despite American policy instability under Trump presidency, there is no other variant meeting their requirements.
At the same time, in world there is genuinely demand for reducing dependence on American weapons, especially in Europe. But speaking about combat aviation, after epic FCAS fiasco, GCAP project remains only one in region for creating sixth-generation fighter — and how successful it will be only time will show, as, for example, Japan is already dissatisfied with its implementation pace.
Recall previously it was reported American sixth-generation F-47 fighter should conduct its first flight already in 2028, which should become record timelines.
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