UK Seeks German Partnership in Next-Gen Fighter Jet Program

Britain is seeking to bring Germany into its fighter program with Italy and Japan, offering Berlin a route forward after the collapse of its joint combat aircraft project with France.

London’s approach opens a contest over Germany’s next fighter partnership.

Berlin must weigh entry into an established program against forming a new venture with Sweden and Spain that could give it greater control.

London Opens Discussions

Internal German government documents reviewed by POLITICO show that Britain’s national armaments director has sought German involvement in the Global Combat Air Program.

The proposed discussions cover the allocation of industrial work and Germany’s military requirements.

Germany’s defense ministry confirmed preliminary exchanges on GCAP’s requirements and scope.

It did not clarify whether London had proposed a particular status for German participation.

A U.K. government spokesperson declined to discuss the approach directly, saying the partners “remain open to others joining GCAP” while maintaining the program’s schedule.

GCAP aims to deliver a fighter from 2035. Britain, Italy and Japan signed a £4.6 billion development agreement with their joint industrial venture, Edgewing, in July; Canada became its first observer country later that month.

A British defense industry representative expects London to stress the existing timetable and the prospect of sustaining German employment as the Eurofighter Typhoon is retired.

Berlin Questions Its Industrial Role

The British offer faces reservations within Germany’s defense establishment.

One internal assessment argues that GCAP’s emphasis on maritime operations differs from Germany’s needs in continental Europe.

It also questions how much substantive work German companies could secure after the founding partners have already established the program’s structure.

The assessment raises concerns about BAE Systems, citing Germany’s experience with the company during Eurofighter development.

It suggests BAE could exercise an influence that would prevent collaboration “on an equal footing.”

These findings do not constitute an agreed government position. The ministry has instructed the relevant departments to examine Britain’s proposal.

An Alternative European Partnership

Germany’s search follows the decision by Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron in June that Airbus Defense & Space and Dassault Aviation could not agree on a common fighter.

Years of industrial disputes brought down the aircraft component of the Future Combat Air System, developed with Spain.

Berlin and Paris plan to retain cooperation on its other components.

The German assessment favors exploring a separate partnership with Sweden and Spain, pointing to similar military requirements and a more balanced starting position among the participants.

It describes that option as “more advantageous and more promising” for Germany.

The defense ministry confirmed that preliminary coordination with those countries had also taken place to establish requirements for a sixth-generation combat air system.

Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has kept several routes open.

U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham is due in Berlin next month for talks with Merz.