Italy is signaling openness to Germany joining the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), a UK–Japan–Italy-led effort to field a sixth-generation fighter by around 2035, as Europe’s parallel FCAS project faces friction.

During a parliamentary hearing, Defence Minister Guido Crosetto noted multiple countries showing interest in GCAP, with Germany as a potential participant and inquiries coming from Australia, Saudi Arabia, and Canada.

Crosetto also said Germany could join GCAP in the future as Berlin weighs its position amid pressure to exit FCAS.

Franco-German disagreements over leadership, intellectual property, and work shares in FCAS are complicating the project, even as German business leaders push to keep FCAS moving.

Germany’s hesitations have raised warnings in parliament about delays and risks, outlining a strategic choice between pursuing NGWS/NGF within FCAS or seeking alternative paths.

FCAS, which includes Spain, faces internal frictions that could jeopardize its future, with a high-level meeting of German, French, and Spanish defense ministers slated for December 11 to decide its course.

Crosetto argued that broader participation would deliver investment critical mass, boost innovation, and reduce costs, highlighting GCAP’s economic and technical advantages.

German leaders have urged a timely FCAS resolution, with Merkel-era-style emphasis on distributing burdens and coordinating with Madrid.

Crosetto warned that wider participation could yield further economic and technical benefits, suggesting FCAP could still expand if conditions align.

Shifting Germany toward GCAP could reshape balance of power across GCAP and FCAS and influence Europe’s and the Indo-Pacific defense architecture.

France–Germany tensions over FCAS, a roughly €100 billion program to replace Rafale and Eurofighter by about 2040, include disputes over leadership and work share, with Germany eyeing alternatives with Airbus.

Germany is weighing options—stronger ties with Spain, closer alignment with Sweden via Saab, or greater alignment with the UK-led GCAP—though pursuing the UK option raises concerns due to BAE Systems’ involvement in Tempest.

Both FCAS and GCAP target a sixth-generation fighter for service entry around 2035, marking a pivotal decade of European defense collaboration.

Crosetto framed GCAP expansion as a path to enhanced industrial, technological, and financial viability, portraying Italy as a magnet for new collaborators.

GCAP is led by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, BAE Systems, and Leonardo, aiming for a stealth fighter integrated with drones and other systems, with equal cooperation among founding nations.