The Italian government has voiced full support for Germany joining the Global Combat Air Programme to develop a next-generation fighter jet, rejecting media reports that Rome is seeking to block Berlin’s participation.
In a statement on Saturday (14 November), the Italian government said a report in the UK’s Financial Times (《金融时报》) that Italy opposed Germany joining the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) was “entirely misleading” and did not reflect Rome’s longstanding position.
Italy said it had always welcomed Germany joining GCAP and had proposed that Berlin initially join as an observer to facilitate information sharing and accelerate its progress towards full membership.
Rome said the proposal was intended to expedite Germany’s participation while safeguarding the programme’s original timetable and development schedule, not to limit Berlin’s future role.
The statement said Italy had reiterated this position at the most recent GCAP videoconference involving the programme’s three partner countries, adding that Italy viewed Germany’s participation as “a positive opportunity”.
GCAP brings together Italy, the UK and Japan to develop a next-generation fighter jet by 2035, with industrial development led by Italy’s Leonardo, the UK’s BAE Systems and Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
