U.K.’s Burnham says he is open to Germany joining joint fighter jet program

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the U.K. was open to Germany joining a partnership between Britain, Italy and Japan — known as the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP) — to build a new fighter jet, after he met German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin on Thursday.

“I’ve indicated to the chancellor ... our openness to Germany joining GCAP,” Burnham told a news conference. “That is something that we seek to progress in the coming period, working with our other partners, Italy and Japan.”

There has been mounting speculation that the founding GCAP countries could open the door to Germany after a rival Franco-German fighter program collapsed in June.

A German official said no decision had been taken on participation in a new fighter jet program but reiterated that Merz favored a European option over Germany going it alone.

“We’re in a very early stage with the reevaluation of our options,” the official said. “Germany hasn’t taken a fixed decision, it’s looking in various directions.”

The GCAP has been set up to allow differing levels of involvement and it expanded for the first time in July, when Canada signed on as an observer, which could pave the way for deeper engagement in the future. Saudi Arabia has long been touted as another country interested in joining.

Germany is viewed by some defense experts as a suitable partner given its growing military budget and the fact that it already works on the Eurofighter Typhoon with the U.K. and Italy.

From Britain’s point of view, adding another country at a time when its military budget is under strain would help share the cost burden, but Japan may need convincing. Italy has also said in the past it would be open to new countries joining to help share the cost.

Japan is particularly focused on the 2035 target for the program given the security threat from China and the fact that it is due to start retiring its F-2 fighters in the middle of the next decade.

Some executives have warned that adding new partners could lead to delays. The GCAP is being led by BAE Systems, Leonardo and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.