UK signals ‘openness’ to Germany joining GCAP fighter jet programme

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.