Italy Rejects Germany’s Bid for Full Role in GCAP Fighter Program

Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto used an online meeting with his British and Japanese counterparts this week to oppose giving Germany an equal role in the sixth-generation fighter project, the Financial Times reported, citing three people familiar with the matter.

He proposed that Berlin instead receive observer status, which would leave Germany with no role in the aircraft’s design or development.

Rome and Tokyo Cite Industrial Risks

An Italian government official told the FT that Rome “confirmed its willingness to accept Germany” but suggested observer status “to speed up the process.”

Officials in Italy and Japan are reportedly wary of adding a new partner to an already complex program. They fear the project would slow and that their aerospace companies would lose work if German industrial players, including Airbus, joined.

Tokyo and Rome had both reacted nervously after U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham used a visit to Berlin last month to declare his “openness” to involving Germany in GCAP.

Berlin Wants Full Partnership

Germany would almost certainly reject observer status, the FT reported, with one German official describing the Italian offer as “unacceptable.”

Berlin has made clear it wants to be a full member, contributing funds and receiving a substantial share of industrial work in return.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said this week that if the existing partners were open to Germany joining, the decision would depend on whether there is “a reasonable balance between the work share, the timeline and Germany’s share of the costs.”

After the Collapse of FCAS

The standoff underlines the challenges for Berlin as it seeks a replacement for the Franco-German Future Combat Air System, which collapsed in June after a bitter industrial dispute.

Clash Report earlier reported that Germany was testing the terms of a possible GCAP entry.

The U.K., Italy, and Japan agreed in December 2022 to develop the aircraft as an alternative to U.S. fighters. BAE Systems, Leonardo, and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement lead the work through the joint venture Edgewing.

Industry figures have previously warned that full German participation could add years and jeopardize the 2035 delivery goal.

A British official insisted London was not pushing for Germany’s inclusion but believed Berlin should be given a hearing. “If they’re jumping on the bus, the bus can’t slow down,” the person told the FT.

The U.K. Ministry of Defense said Britain was “fully committed to delivering GCAP at pace alongside our partners, Italy and Japan” and “open to exploring credible options for future participation by other nations, while keeping the programme on track.”

Pistorius has said he wants to reach a decision by the end of March.