Italy supports Germany joining the Global Combat Air Programme

The Italian government announced on Saturday, November 15, 2026, its full support for Germany's potential entry into the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP). This official stance aims to facilitate information exchange and accelerate full membership for Germany within the international military aviation project. The Italian government proposed that Germany initially join the GCAP as an observer to streamline the integration process.

This announcement follows a report published by the Financial Times on November 5, 2026, which suggested that Rome was attempting to block Germany's entry into the program. The Italian government rejected those claims, characterizing the Financial Times report as completely misleading. Officials stated that the previous report did not reflect the long-standing position of the Italian government regarding the program.

A complex system of systems

The GCAP is an international military aviation project designed to develop a next-generation combat aircraft. The program is described as a system of systems that integrates aircraft with various technologies, including radar, satellites, drones, and ground forces. The project aims to achieve the delivery of the new aircraft by 2035. The estimated value of the GCAP program exceeds 100 billion euros.

Industrial leadership for the development of the aircraft is provided by three major companies: Leonardo, BAE Systems, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. These entities manage the complex industrial requirements of the multi-national project. The current partner states of the GCAP include Italy, the United Kingdom, and Japan.

Diplomatic discussions and tensions

The Italian government reaffirmed its stance during a recent videoconference involving the three current partner states of the GCAP. This meeting addressed the potential expansion of the partnership to include Germany. While the Italian government views Germany's participation as a positive opportunity, other dynamics within the alliance have surfaced.

Tensions have existed because the British Prime Minister invited the German Chancellor in early October without consulting Rome or Tokyo. Additionally, Japan has expressed concern regarding potential delays to the project timeline. Within Germany, a defense expert committee recommended an alliance with the Swedish company Saab instead of the current GCAP framework.

The landscape of the program remains complex, with various reports discussing industrial movements. For example, reports have surfaced regarding contacts between BAE Systems and Airbus. Despite these various discussions and external recommendations, the Italian government maintains its position that Germany's involvement in the GCAP is a positive development for the future of next-generation combat aviation.

Glossary

• Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) — The Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) is an international military aviation project designed to develop a next-generation combat aircraft. It is a trilateral international collaboration between the United Kingdom, Italy, and Japan.
• system of systems — A system of systems is an approach that integrates an aircraft with various technologies, including radar, satellites, drones, and ground forces. The GCAP program is described as using this approach.
• Leonardo — Leonardo is a major company providing industrial leadership for the development of the GCAP aircraft.