Why The GCAP Is The Only 6th-Generation Fighter Jet The Rest Of The World Can Actually Buy

In June 2026, Germany announced it was withdrawing from the FCAS 6th-generation fighter jet project with France and Spain. This left the GCAP/Tempest as the only credible European-led sixth-generation fighter jet program. The GCAP intends to be a reasonably heavy sixth-generation air superiority fighter jet built with an emphasis on multirole missions. It is also being designed explicitly with an eye to exports.