Germany eyes joining GCAP fighter jet project with U.K, Italy and Japan

Berlin – Germany is considering joining Japan, Britain and Italy in their joint project to develop a next-generation fighter jet, a government official suggested Friday.

This came after British Prime Minister Andy Burnham told German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Thursday that Britain is positive on Germany’s participation in the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP).

Steffen Meyer, first deputy spokesperson for the German government, said at a regular news conference Friday that the country took Burnham’s view very favorably.

Meanwhile, Meyer noted that Germany intends to pursue a European way of finding a solution to the development of a next-generation fighter jet, indicating that the country plans to assert its national interest during various discussions.

There has been mounting speculation that the founding GCAP countries could open the door to Germany after a rival Franco-German fighter program collapsed in June.

Burnham said the idea “is something that we seek to progress in the coming period, working with our other partners, Italy and Japan.”

GCAP has been set up to allow differing levels of involvement and it expanded for the first time in July, when Canada signed on as an observer, which could pave the way for deeper engagement in the future. Saudi Arabia has long been touted as another country interested in joining.

Germany is viewed by some defense experts as a suitable partner given its growing military budget and the fact that it already works on the Eurofighter Typhoon with the U.K. and Italy.

From Britain’s point of view, adding another country at a time when its military budget is under strain would help share the cost burden, but Japan may need convincing. Italy has also said in the past it would be open to new countries joining to help share the cost.

Japan is particularly focused on the 2035 target for the program given the security threat from China and the fact that it is due to start retiring its F-2 fighters in the middle of the next decade.

Some executives have warned that adding new partners could lead to delays. The GCAP is being led by BAE Systems, Leonardo and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.

Asked Friday if Germany had inquired about joining GCAP, Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi declined to comment, but noted the group’s thinking on the issue.

“To begin with, GCAP itself was developed with a view to fostering cooperation among Japan, the United Kingdom and Italy, as well as allies and partner nations,” Koizumi told a news conference. “Regarding cooperation with third countries, we intend to work in coordination with the U.K. and Italy to ensure that GCAP becomes an even better program.”