ROME — Following a significant financial clearance by the U.K., Japan, Italy, and the U.K. have awarded a £4.6 billion ($6.1 billion) contract for the development of the GCAP jet to their respective leading aerospace companies. This decision came shortly after the U.K. resolved a prolonged financial delay.

On Friday, it was announced that Edgewing, a consortium of industrial firms tasked with constructing the sixth-generation fighter jet, received an 18-month contract from the three countries.

This development follows the U.K.’s recent unveiling of its delayed Defence Investment Plan (DIP), which earmarked funds specifically for this advanced fighter jet.

“The investment of £4.6 billion will fund the completion of the advanced concept and assessment phase, as well as support further detailed joint design and development efforts,” according to the statement from the tri-nation agency overseeing the project.

In anticipation of the DIP this spring, the countries involved provided a £686 million interim contract to maintain progress on the project until June 30.

The firms involved breathed a sigh of relief when the DIP was finally published, coinciding with the expiration of the interim contract. The DIP committed a surprising £8.6 billion ($11.4 billion) over the next four years to the project, surpassing the anticipated £6 billion.

Delays in the U.K. in securing the necessary funding for the GCAP initiative had drawn criticism, particularly from Japan, which is eager to see a sixth-generation jet operational by the projected 2035 delivery date.

Tensions rose to the point where the Japanese Prime Minister considered cancelling a planned trip to the U.K. before the G7 summit in June unless the U.K. committed to the necessary funding.

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The contract was finalized just before the commencement of the U.K.’s Farnborough airshow this month.

U.K. defense procurement minister Luke Pollard described the deal as “a significant advancement towards the realization of the GCAP.” He further noted, “This milestone not only reinforces our ties with international allies but also supports thousands of high-tech jobs across the UK, equipping the RAF with the necessary tools to ensure national security. All of these efforts are supported by an £8.6 billion funding allocation in the defense investment plan.”

Edgewing, the consortium managing the program, includes major aerospace entities such as BAE Systems, Leonardo, and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co. Ltd. (JAIEC).

Looking ahead, Edgewing is expected to distribute its own contracts to manage the electronics and propulsion systems of the jet to various consortia within the three nations involved.