{
  "id": 13337843,
  "title": "Germany eyes joining GCAP fighter jet project with U.K, Italy and Japan",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/10/germany-eyes-joining-gcap-fighter-jet-project-with-u-k-italy-and-japan",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-10T05:02:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Japan Times",
    "slug": "japan-times",
    "url": "https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/10/10/japan/gcap-germany-join-japan/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Berlin – Germany is considering joining the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP), a joint project to develop a next-generation fighter jet, alongside Britain, Italy, and Japan, according to a government official. The suggestion came after British Prime Minister Andy Burnham expressed Britain's positive stance on Germany's participation during a conversation with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Thursday. Steffen Meyer, the first deputy spokesperson for the German government, conveyed at a press conference that Germany welcomed Burnham's view favorably. Meyer further stated that Germany intends to find a European solution to the development of the next-generation fighter jet, indicating a plan to assert national interests during discussions. Speculation is growing that the founding GCAP countries might welcome Germany after a previous Franco-German fighter program ended in June. Burnham mentioned that the idea is something they aim to advance in the near future, collaborating with Italy and Japan. GCAP was established to accommodate varying levels of involvement and recently expanded for the first time in July when Canada joined as an observer, potentially opening the door for further participation. Saudi Arabia is also considered a potential candidate for joining GCAP. Germany is seen as a suitable partner by some defense experts due to its growing military budget and ongoing work on the Eurofighter Typhoon with the U.K. and Italy. However, Britain might view adding another country during a period of strained military budget as a means to share costs, while Japan's interest could be challenged. Italy has previously expressed openness to new members to help distribute expenses. Japan is particularly focused on the 2035 target for the program, given the security threat from China and the impending retirement of its F-2 fighters halfway through the next decade. Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi was asked about Germany's interest in joining GCAP, but declined to comment directly, noting that GCAP was initially developed to foster cooperation among Japan, the United Kingdom, Italy, and allied nations. Koizumi emphasized that coordination with the U.K. and Italy would be pursued to enhance the program.",
  "summary": "There has been mounting speculation the group could open the door to Germany after a rival Franco-German fighter program collapsed in June.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Mainichi",
        "title": "Japan eyes Nov. summit with Vietnam in Tokyo on energy, security",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/10/japan-eyes-nov-summit-with-vietnam-in-tokyo-on-energy-security",
        "published": "2026-10-10T07:00:10.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}