Germany welcome in GCAP, but new Leonardo boss warns about timing
Defense News • • world
Key Points:
- Leonardo CEO Lorenzo Mariani welcomed the possibility of Germany joining the Italo-Japanese-UK GCAP fighter program but cautioned that adding a new partner could delay the planned 2035 delivery date.
- The GCAP project aims to develop a sixth-generation fighter jet with Italy, Japan, and the UK collaborating after the collapse of the French-German Future Combat Air System (FCAS) program.
- Germany is considering three options following FCAS's failure: buying more F-35s, joining an existing international program like GCAP, or launching a new fighter program led by Germany and Airbus.
- Mariani emphasized that Europe cannot afford multiple overlapping sixth-generation fighter programs, advocating for fewer, more collaborative projects to maintain competitiveness and manage costs.
- Separately, Airbus is reportedly exploring a partnership with Sweden’s Saab to develop a next-generation fighter, as Sweden evaluates options to replace its Gripen jets.