UK's Burnham positive on Germany joining Japan-UK-Italy GCAP fighter project
In short
British Prime Minister Burnham said on 8 October that he had conveyed a positive stance toward Germany joining the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), the next-generation fighter project of Japan, the UK and Italy. He spoke at a press conference in Berlin after talks with German Chancellor Merz, adding that he wants to move forward in cooperation with Italy and Japan. Japanese Defence Minister Koizumi Shinjiro declined to say whether Germany had expressed an intention to join.
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British Prime Minister Burnham said on 8 October that he had conveyed a positive stance toward Germany joining the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), the next-generation fighter development project of Japan, the UK and Italy. He made the remarks at a press conference in Berlin after talks with German Chancellor Merz. Burnham said it was something he wanted to move forward on in cooperation with Italy and Japan, signalling close coordination with Japan and the other partners, according to Kyodo as carried by Tokyo Shimbun and Sankei. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
According to the leaders' joint statement, the two countries will also strengthen cooperation in responding to "hybrid attacks" by Russia and others that use non-military means such as spreading disinformation and sabotage, Sankei reported. [ 4 ]
Kyodo reported that the UK faces financial difficulties and that German participation would bring benefits, but that there are also concerns that coordinating interests could prove difficult and delay development. A later Sankei headline also pointed to concerns that reflecting German wishes could delay the programme. Merz is scheduled to visit Japan in late October to meet Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae, and GCAP could become a topic. [ 1 , 4 , 5 ]
Japanese Defence Minister Koizumi Shinjiro avoided a clear answer on German entry at a press conference after a cabinet meeting on 9 October, Nikkei reported. Asked whether Germany had expressed an intention to join, he said Japan communicates in various ways with the countries concerned but would refrain from details. He said the programme had proceeded with cooperation with allies and like-minded countries of Japan, the UK and Italy in mind. [ 3 ]
Germany is said to be considering GCAP after its fighter co-development with France and others collapsed. Nikkei reported that Germany and France had pursued the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) since 2017, aiming to develop successors to the French Rafale and the Eurofighter used by Germany by around 2040, but the plan collapsed in June after France's Dassault Aviation and Airbus clashed over the division of roles. Airbus and seven other companies have formed a consortium to develop Germany's next fighter, but the German government has kept the option of involvement in GCAP. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
GCAP includes Canada as an observer, which the four countries announced in July, according to Nikkei. The three leading countries aim to deploy production aircraft in 2035. The programme consists of GIGO, an intergovernmental organisation of Japan, the UK and Italy, and Edgewing (エッジウィング), a joint venture responsible for design and development. Its investors are JAIEC, set up by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and others, British defence company BAE Systems and Italy's Leonardo. [ 1 , 3 ]
Why it matters
Kyodo, as carried by Tokyo Shimbun and Sankei, reported that German participation would bring benefits to a financially strained UK, but that there are concerns that coordinating interests could prove difficult and delay development. Merz is due to visit Japan in late October to meet Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae, and GCAP may be on the agenda.
Key facts
- Burnham met Merz in Berlin on 8 October and said afterwards that he had conveyed a positive stance toward Germany joining GCAP. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
- Burnham said he wants to move forward on the matter in cooperation with Italy and Japan. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
- GCAP is being developed by Japan, the UK and Italy, with Canada taking part as an observer. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
- Germany's fighter co-development with France and others collapsed, and Germany is said to be considering joining GCAP as one option. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
- Concerns were reported that German participation could make coordinating interests difficult and delay development. [ 1 , 4 , 5 ]
- Merz is scheduled to visit Japan in late October to meet Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae. [ 1 , 4 ]
- Japanese Defence Minister Koizumi Shinjiro declined on 9 October to say whether Germany had expressed an intention to join, Nikkei reported. [ 3 ]
- The three leading countries aim to deploy production aircraft in 2035, according to Nikkei. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- British Prime Minister Burnham said after talks with German Chancellor Merz in Berlin on 8 October that he had conveyed a positive stance toward Germany joining GCAP. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
- Burnham said he wants to proceed in cooperation with Italy and Japan. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
- Canada participates in GCAP as an observer. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
- Germany's fighter co-development with France collapsed, and Germany has kept joining GCAP as an option. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
- There are concerns German participation could delay development. [ 1 , 4 , 5 ]
- Merz plans to visit Japan in late October to meet Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae, and GCAP may be discussed. [ 1 , 4 ]
Still unclear
- Whether Germany itself has expressed an intention to join GCAP. Some headlines describe Germany as positive about joining, but the article texts quote Burnham describing the UK's positive stance, and Japan's defence minister declined to say whether Germany had expressed such an intention.
- How Japan and Italy view German participation. Burnham said he would proceed in cooperation with Italy and Japan; the documents report no Italian position, and Japan's defence minister declined to give details.
- Whether GCAP will be on the agenda when Merz visits Japan. Kyodo reported only that it may become a topic.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- 8 October: Tokyo Shimbun carries Kyodo's report that Burnham conveyed a positive stance on Germany joining GCAP after meeting Merz in Berlin. [ 1 ]
- 8 October: Nikkei reports Burnham's remarks with background on GCAP and Germany's collapsed project with France. [ 3 ]
- 9 October: Sankei carries the Kyodo report, adding the leaders' joint statement on hybrid attacks. [ 4 ]
- 9 October: Sankei headlines concerns that reflecting German wishes could delay development. [ 5 ]