UK signals ‘openness’ to Germany joining GCAP fighter jet programme
Por dpa — South China Morning Post – News feed
Advertisement Britain World Europe UK signals ‘openness’ to Germany joining GCAP fighter jet programme
British PM Andy Burnham is in Berlin for talks focused primarily on security, including the launch of a new partnership aimed at hybrid threats
2 -MIN READ 2 -MIN Listen
dpa Published: 10:40pm, 8 Oct 2026
The United Kingdom is “open” to Germany joining an international coalition to build the next generation of fighter jets, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced.
Speaking in Berlin on Thursday, during his first visit to the German capital since taking office, Burnham said he “indicated” to Chancellor Friedrich Merz Britain’s “openness” to the country joining the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP).
Initially a pact between the UK, Italy and Japan to build a sixth-generation fighter jet, GCAP welcomed Canada as an “observer nation” in July.
Informally dubbed “Tempest”, the new jets will be equipped with technology including AI and next-generation sensors, as Western nations seek to maintain air superiority over threats from rival powers like Russia and China.
Select Voice Select Speed 0.8x 0.9x 1.0x 1.1x 1.2x 1.5x 1.75x 00:00 00:00 1x AI-generated voice
