UK PM Burnham says he is open to Germany joining GCAP fighter programme

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said on October 8 that the United Kingdom was open to Germany joining the Global Combat Air Programme after talks with Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin. GCAP brings together Britain, Italy and Japan to develop a next-generation fighter, led industrially by BAE Systems, Leonardo and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. Burnham said discussions would proceed with the existing partners, while a German official stressed that Berlin had made no decision on participation. Japan remains focused on the 2035 aircraft target, and Germany's possible accession is still an exploratory political proposal.