Man mano che il progetto FCAS Fights Franco-tedeschi sembra crollare, le voci si diffondono secondo cui la Germania potrebbe unirsi al programma di combattenti GCAP guidato da Italia, Giappone e Regno Unito.

**Big news ahead for the GCAP programme.**

The GCAP programme for the construction of a new sixth generation fighter jet, lead by the United Kingdom, Italy and Japan, is getting ready to expand towards various other countries that are strongly interested in the project.

Among them there is Germany, which is currently dealing with the collapse of the similar FCAS/SCAF programme “co-managed” with France and Spain, and with Belgium which, despite the complaints by Dassault Aviation due to the Belgian Aird Force currently buying F-35A from Lockheed Martin, his also currently a costumer [of the FCAS jet].

**The debacle of the FCAS/SCAF programme.**

The FCAS/SCAF programme, despite the government attempts to avert the collision course between Dassault Aviation and Airbus, has never surpassed the fundamental problems concerning the division of the workload and the control shares, bringing the situation to a complete stall with the initial timetable accumulating delays incompatible with the original schedule-

Berlin and Paris have met multiple times in the attempt to overcome these differences but the two industrial complexes have stayed on irreconcilable positions.

It has now become impossible to meet the initially agreed deadlines and the hypothesis to abandon the whole tri-national programme is becoming more and more likely while the attempt by both the French and the Germans to lay the blame on the other side is already becoming secondary.

**The German hypothesis.**

The point is that at Berlin, while already being part of the F-35A programme, they now find themselves having to evaluate various options, from the quite unlikely and complicated plan to do it alone, to a possible collaboration with the Swedish Saab with which is already in play with for the likely acquisition of GlobalEye aircraft for the Luftwaffe’s early radar surveillance, up to some sort of collaboration with the GCAP programme.

While the United Kingdom, who is neither denying nor confirming these rumors, is looking at the possible enlargement of the [GCAP] programme to Germany.

**The possible German collaboration with GCAP.**

At the moment, the German collaboration with the programme, which has been formed by the United Kingdom, Japan and Italy, might center on the Loyal Wingman drones which represents an important aspect of the project, as it will be tasked with important combat and support missions to the manned aircrafts.

The German collaboration could thus be centered on this aspect, given the highly advanced technological level reached by the German industry in the sectors of autonomous and remote-controlled aircrafts as well as the development of artificial intelligence for combat aircrafts.

As an extreme solution, Germany could opt for their own version of GCAP, with a strong participation of their own industries, an aircraft of course entirely aimed to fulfill Germany’s requirements and maybe also Spain’s, without having to undermine the export potential of the main variant.

**The possibility of new members.**

Of course, as is clearly stated in the accords that regulate the GCAP programme, the extension of the project to other countries must first be discussed and approved unanimously by all three founding states.

It must be noted that, besides the possible German interest, there is also Saudia Arabia’s already public intention of joining the programme, mostly as a financial contributor and only secondarily as a technology partner, as well as the interest expressed by other countries who are getting closer to the GCAP.

The GCAP, contrary to the similar FCAS/SCAF, is proceeding on much more solid foundations thanks to the certain division of labor, the recognition of equal 33% shares between the three states, and the already accomplished creation of the joint company that will oversee the project, and of the other consortiums that will manage the engine and the electronic suite.

Article written by Aurelio Giansiracusa, first published by Ares Osservatorio Difesa 30/09/2025, manually translated by u/minos83.

No thanks. Germany is a PITA to work with. GCAP is proceeding along just fine at the moment.

I happen to think there should be 2 x 6th Gen programs in Europe, you don’t want all your eggs in one basket so hopefully Germany will knuckle under and find a way to work with France. Germany is more than welcome to purchase GCAP as a customer should the French prove impossible to work with.

I don’t believe that. Why would Germany give up the lead on the loyal wingman, 50% of the ngf engine and a noticeable work share of the ngf fighter itself in exchange to build a loyal wingman for gcap?

Germany can join but they won’t have contributed anything to date and as such, shouldn’t have much sway in major decisions going forward with GCAP. If they’re in, you don’t get major changes for German needs unless it also suits other nations.

To torpedo another important project, sure.

Germany can join and take charge of the paintjob, the plumbing and the cleaning subprogramme.

I feel like this is gonna end with the UK, Japan, Italy, Germany, and Sweden all flying the same jet while France is making planes for India.