UK signals openness to German participation in GCAP fighter programme

The United Kingdom has signalled it would welcome Germany into the Global Combat Air Programme, the sixth-generation fighter project Britain is pursuing with Italy and Japan.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said on October 8, 2026, that he had told German Chancellor Friedrich Merz of Britain's openness to German membership. He spoke at a joint press conference in Berlin during his first visit there as prime minister, and said London would look to take the idea forward with Italy and Japan in the period ahead.

The remarks do not amount to an offer of membership. A German official said Berlin has reached no decision and continues to weigh its options, while Merz favours a European approach over Germany building a fighter alone. A senior German official described Burnham's comments as a first, small step rather than a decision or a preliminary one. Exploratory talks between Berlin and the programme had been reported in September 2026.

GCAP is intended to produce a stealth fighter, informally called Tempest, with service entry targeted for 2035. Industry work is led by BAE Systems, Leonardo and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. The programme was structured to allow different levels of involvement: Canada became its first observer nation in July, and Saudi Arabia has long been cited as another possible participant.

Some defence analysts regard Germany as a natural fit, pointing to its rising defence budget and its existing work with Britain and Italy on the Eurofighter Typhoon. For Britain, whose defence budget is under pressure, an additional partner could spread costs. Italy has previously noted the risk that adding members may push back timelines.