Canadian Defence Minister David McGuinty said he discussed the Global Combat Air Programme with Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi during a meeting in Tokyo.
McGuinty described the next-generation fighter initiative as promising and said Canada was interested in learning more about it. He added that he would take the information back to his team for further assessment.
Japan, Britain and Italy launched GCAP in 2022 with the goal of fielding a new stealth fighter by 2035. The project is led industrially by BAE Systems, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Leonardo.
Canadian involvement would represent the program's first expansion beyond its three founding countries. Any new participation would require approval from Japan, Britain and Italy.
Canada has been discussed as a possible observer or future partner as GCAP attracts interest from additional countries. Observer status could allow Ottawa to follow the program more closely before deciding whether to pursue a deeper role.
The talks come as the project gains attention following the collapse of a separate European next-generation fighter initiative. Supporters of expanding GCAP argue that additional partners could share development costs and broaden the program's industrial base.
