New British prime minister gains early defense win with Canada fighter jet tie-up

Canada joined the UK-led Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) as an observer, marking the first expansion of the stealth fighter jet collaboration beyond its founding members. The move aligns with new UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham's defense-focused government, which appointed John Healey as finance minister to advocate for higher defense spending and secured partnerships with defense companies like BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce.