Italy Backs Germany’s Participation in Next-Generation Fighter Jet Programme

ROME (Terror Monitor) — Italy has reaffirmed its full support for Germany joining the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), a major international defence project involving Britain, Italy and Japan to develop a next-generation fighter aircraft, rejecting media reports that Rome had attempted to block Berlin's participation.

In a statement on Saturday, November 14, the Italian government described a report by the British newspaper Financial Times, which suggested that Italy had opposed Germany's entry into the programme as a full partner, as "entirely misleading".

The Italian government said the report did not accurately reflect Rome's longstanding position on German participation and insisted that Italy had consistently expressed its willingness to welcome Germany into the project.

According to the statement, Italy had proposed that Germany initially join the programme as an observer to facilitate the exchange of information and accelerate its eventual transition towards full membership.

Rome said the proposal was intended to speed up Germany's involvement while protecting the programme's existing schedule and development progress, rather than restricting Berlin's future role or limiting its participation in the project.

Italy also reiterated its position during a recent videoconference involving defence representatives from the programme's three founding countries, describing Germany's potential participation as a positive opportunity.

Germany explores joining the programme after collapse of rival project

The Italian statement comes as Germany considers joining GCAP following the collapse of its separate next-generation fighter development initiative with France.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said in October that Berlin was examining whether it could participate in the British-Italian-Japanese programme.

During his visit to Japan, Merz discussed defence cooperation and the possibility of Germany joining GCAP. He indicated that Berlin was assessing its options, although negotiations over the division of industrial responsibilities among the existing partners were already at an advanced stage.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has also expressed openness to German participation, saying London was prepared to work with Italy and Japan to advance the proposal.

However, adding another country to the programme could involve complex negotiations over financing, technology sharing, industrial responsibilities and decision-making arrangements.

Reuters reported that Japan has concerns about possible delays as the three existing partners seek to maintain the programme's development timetable. MarketScreener Canada +2

Three countries reaffirm commitment to joint fighter programme

The latest diplomatic discussions took place against the backdrop of a trilateral defence ministerial meeting held virtually on November 11.

According to Japan's Ministry of Defence, Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, British Defence Secretary Wes Streeting and Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto discussed the future of GCAP and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation among the three partner countries.

The Japanese ministry described the programme as an important framework connecting the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic regions through technological cooperation and defence-industrial partnerships. Japan Ministry of Defense

A new generation of combat aircraft by 2035

The Global Combat Air Programme was launched by Britain, Italy and Japan in December 2022 to jointly develop an advanced next-generation fighter aircraft, with the aim of bringing it into service by 2035.

The project is intended to replace ageing combat aircraft, including Britain's and Italy's Eurofighter Typhoon fleet and Japan's Mitsubishi F-2 fighters.

Three major defence companies are leading the industrial and technological development:

• Leonardo of Italy.

• BAE Systems of the United Kingdom.

• Mitsubishi Heavy Industries of Japan.

The programme is expected to combine advanced stealth technology, sophisticated sensors, artificial intelligence-assisted systems, advanced weapons integration and the ability to operate alongside autonomous unmanned aircraft.

The partners are seeking to develop an aircraft capable of operating in increasingly complex air combat environments while strengthening their domestic defence industries and reducing reliance on external suppliers.

Germany's potential entry could reshape European defence cooperation

Germany's possible participation would represent a significant expansion of the programme and could strengthen defence-industrial cooperation between major European economies and Japan.

Berlin is seeking new options for its future combat aircraft requirements after disagreements over industrial responsibilities and technical specifications undermined its previous fighter development partnership with France.

Germany's participation could bring additional financial resources, industrial expertise and technological capabilities to GCAP. However, the final terms of any membership, including its financial contribution and share of industrial work, remain to be negotiated.

For now, Italy has made clear that it supports Germany's involvement, while insisting that any expansion must preserve the programme's agreed development schedule and established cooperation framework.

No final agreement on Germany's admission as a full partner has been announced.