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Burnham signals ‘openness’ to Germany joining GCAP fighter jet program
Britain is open to Germany joining the sixth-generation jet fighter Global Combat Air Programme led by the U.K., Italy and Japan, Prime Minister Andy Burnham said on Thursday.
“I’ve indicated to the chancellor in our discussion… our openness to Germany joining GCAP,” Burnham said in Berlin during a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
“That is something we seek to progress in the coming period working with our other partners Italy and Japan in relation to that as well,” he added.
POLITICO reported last month that Berlin has held exploratory talks about participating in GCAP after Germany’s combat aircraft plans with France collapsed earlier this year.
“This is neither a decision nor a preliminary decision. It is a first, small step in Germany’s efforts to seek—and possibly find—partnerships in this area,” said a senior German official, who spoke on condition of being granted anonymity.
“We are at a very early stage in reassessing our options. Germany has not made a decision yet. It is exploring all possible avenues,” they said. “However, you are aware of the chancellor’s position that he favors a European solution rather than Germany acting alone.”
Earlier this year, Canada became the first observer nation in GCAP, which could be a pathway to full future membership. Other possible members include Saudi Arabia.
However, the three GCAP members have been wary of opening the club, worrying about less work for each partner nation or delays to the program.
The CEO of Italian defense firm Leonardo, which is part of the GCAP industrial coalition within the program, said in July that if another country wants to join the program, it needs to happen within the next 12 months.
The British leader also outlined a new partnership with Germany to counter hybrid threats from countries such as Russia.
“The defense ministries have been tasked with exploring ways to expand this partnership,” said the German official.
