Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said Britain is open to Germany joining the international programme developing a next-generation fighter jet.
Speaking alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin on Thursday 8 October, Burnham said he had indicated Britain’s willingness to consider German participation in the Global Combat Air Programme, known as GCAP.
He said Britain would seek to progress the matter with its existing partners, Italy and Japan, according to Reuters.
German membership not agreed
The comments signal British openness to expanding the partnership. They do not announce German membership, a funding commitment or an agreed timetable for accession.
PA Media also reported the Prime Minister’s remarks, describing the programme as the international effort to develop a sixth-generation fighter aircraft, informally known as Tempest.
Aircraft targeted for 2035
GCAP is a collaboration between Britain, Italy and Japan to develop an advanced combat aircraft targeted to enter service in 2035.
In July, the Ministry of Defence announced a £4.6 billion contract funded jointly by the three countries and awarded to the industry joint venture Edgewing.
The contract covers the next stage of aircraft design, including establishing key requirements and testing. It is not the total lifetime cost of the programme.
The Government also announced a UK investment commitment of £8.6 billion over four years through its Defence Investment Plan.
The Ministry of Defence says the aircraft is intended to operate alongside Typhoons, F-35s and autonomous systems, using advanced digital engineering and artificial intelligence.
Wider UK–Germany cooperation
The remarks came during talks focused on closer British-German cooperation.
Downing Street separately announced a partnership to counter cyberattacks, sabotage and other hybrid threats. Its statement also confirmed formal ratification of the Kensington Treaty on 8 October.
The leaders’ programme included a regional growth forum bringing together British and German business leaders to discuss investment and industrial partnerships.
Germany’s possible participation in GCAP remains a matter for further discussions with the existing programme partners.