After FCAS-Aus: Airbus is apparently examining participation in the new fighter jet program

After the end of the German-French fighter jet project FCAS, an international alternative is coming into focus. Airbus is apparently exploring participation in the GCAP fighter jet program.

Dusseldorf. According to a media report, the European aerospace group Airbus is exploring participation in the international fighter jet project GCAP. To this end, Airbus executives are to meet with representatives of the British defense company BAE Systems, as the Financial Times newspaper reported on Sunday, citing people familiar with the matter. A statement from Airbus and BAE was initially not available.

Germany and Airbus are looking for new partners for a next-generation jet after the failure of the German-French FCAS project. Collaboration with Sweden and Saab is also possible. Although GCAP is comparatively advanced, it could have the disadvantage for new partners like Airbus that they would have to take a back seat.

According to the report, alternative areas for cooperation will also be discussed at the meeting. These included autonomous “collaborative combat aircraft” and the so-called “Combat Cloud”. This digital backbone is intended to enable data exchange between jets, drones and sensors such as ground radar.

The GCAP (Global Combat Air Program) armament project was launched in 2022 by Italy, Japan and Great Britain. The aim is to jointly develop a stealth multi-role combat aircraft that is scheduled to enter service around 2035.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month that Britain was open to Germany joining the program led by BAE, Leonardo and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. In July, Canada joined the project as an observer, which could pave the way for deeper participation. Saudi Arabia has also long been considered interested in joining.