GCAP partners reject Germany's potential entry into sixth-generation fighter programme
The chief executive of Italian defence giant Leonardo has ruled out Germany joining the Global Combat Air Programme, the UK-Italy-Japan collaboration developing a sixth-generation stealth fighter to replace current fleets from 2035.
Lorenzo Mariani said admitting Germany at this stage would be too disruptive and questioned whether the industrial powerhouse would accept a junior observer role in the partnership. His comments came after Canada became the first nation to join GCAP as an observer on 21 July, gaining access to classified information without financial commitment or decision-making authority.
The intervention closes the door on speculation that Germany might seek entry to GCAP following the collapse of its own fighter programme. The Franco-German FCAS project, which had an estimated cost of €80-100 billion, formally ended on 8 June 2026 after years of disputes between Airbus and Dassault over leadership, technology sharing and project control.
Germany's uncertain path forward
Mariani told reporters that German industry had already been involved in development work in recent years.
If I were in their shoes, I would have no reason to start an observer process. Why should I simply observe? I already have matured some experience, I have an industry up and running, industrial capability money, so why should I wait?
He added that France was unlikely to join GCAP for similar reasons.
The objectives that France has – seen from outside – do not look aligned with the ones of GCAP, especially from the industrial point of view.
The programme partners remain focused on their 2035 target date for operational deployment.
The only risk is disruption and in the case of Germany I personally think it would be difficult to propose the status of observer. Unless under the status of observer, another nation joining, another group of industries joining the programme would risk producing some delays.
Programme momentum builds
GCAP was formally established in December 2022 through a treaty merging the UK's Tempest programme with Japan's F-X programme, with Italy as an equal founding partner. In July 2026, the three nations awarded a £4.6 billion contract to Edgewing, the joint venture between BAE Systems, Leonardo and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement, for the next development phase.
The UK has committed £8.6 billion to GCAP over four years in its Defence Investment Plan published on 30 June. The aircraft is designed to be 3-4 metres longer than the Eurofighter Typhoon and is intended to replace the Typhoon fleet in UK and Italian service, potentially remaining operational beyond 2070.
The fighter is being developed as a sixth-generation stealth platform with capabilities including manned-unmanned teaming, advanced artificial intelligence, internal weapons bays and the ability to control drone swarms. It will have significantly greater internal payload capacity than the F-35.
Edgewing is jointly owned by the three partner companies with headquarters in Britain and a chief executive from Italy, with each nation holding equal one-third shares in the venture.
Saudi Arabia has also expressed interest in joining the programme but faces Japanese resistance on security grounds related to Riyadh's relationships with Russia and China, and has not progressed to observer status.
