Tempest

Tempest is the name of the United Kingdom's next-generation fighter jet program. It forms a key component of the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), a multinational consortium currently involving the UK, Japan, and Italy. Tempest is newsworthy due to delays in the UK's military spending plan, which are stalling the program's progress. These delays stem from a reported £28 billion funding gap facing the UK military over the next four years. Recently, there has been discussion about Canada potentially joining GCAP, which could provide a boost to the project, particularly for Japan, as it seeks to modernize its air force and close the gap with China. The program's relevance lies in its potential to provide advanced air capabilities for participating nations and contribute to their strategic defense objectives.