ROME — The leader of the Italian defense company Leonardo has expressed openness to Germany joining the collaborative Italo-Japanese-UK GCAP fighter jet initiative. However, he cautioned that incorporating a new partner might delay the project’s timeline.
Leonardo’s CEO, Lorenzo Mariani, addressed the media on Wednesday following the recent dissolution of the Franco-German Future Combat Air System (FCAS) initiative. The FCAS project fell apart on Monday after prolonged disagreements between French and German companies regarding the division of labor on the development of the sixth-generation aircraft.
In contrast, Italy, Japan, and the UK are progressing with their joint GCAP project, which aims to have a new fighter aircraft operational by 2035.
When questioned about the potential inclusion of Germany in the GCAP program, Mariani told Defense News that Germany’s participation could be beneficial for capability enhancement and cost distribution. However, he emphasized the importance of adhering to the planned 2035 timeline for the aircraft to be airborne.
Mariani pointed out that a new partner would bring additional funding and expertise to the project. He noted, “While the decision to add more partners to GCAP is ultimately a governmental one, it would indeed bring additional skills and financial resources.”
However, he also highlighted the need for careful consideration of the implications on the project’s development schedule and milestones. “We must find the right balance,” he added, indicating the complexities involved in expanding the partnership.
Japan has reportedly expressed concerns about the possibility of the 2035 deadline being pushed back, especially in light of the UK’s current difficulties in securing additional defense funding.
The German Defense Minister, Boris Pistorius, spoke on Tuesday about Germany’s options for meeting its fighter aircraft needs following the FCAS project’s failure, which was initially proposed in 2017. He outlined three possibilities: buying additional F-35s, joining an existing international program, or starting a new initiative under German leadership with Airbus and other partners.
The third option would introduce another new fighter jet project in Europe, at a time when the continent is trying to minimize redundant programs and focus on jointly developed and built systems to conserve limited resources.
Mariani remarked, “Europe cannot afford to have multiple sixth-generation fighters in development simultaneously. This approach is not economically viable and does not enhance Europe’s competitive edge.”
Meanwhile, according to a report by Reuters on Wednesday, Airbus is considering a potential collaboration with Sweden’s Saab to develop a next-generation fighter. Stockholm is exploring its options for either purchasing or developing a new fighter jet to replace the country’s Gripen aircraft, with only preliminary studies conducted so far.
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Jamal Peterson reports on defense, aerospace, and tech policy. With a military background and a strategic mind, he dissects complex subjects with clarity, offering readers sharp, reliable insights.
