World · East Asia & Pacific · 1 hr ago
Germany weighs joining Japan-led fighter jet programme
Germany is considering joining the Global Combat Air Programme, known as GCAP, during Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s visit to Japan.
Japan, Britain and Italy are developing the aircraft, which is due to enter service in 2035.
Germany and France ended their plans for a joint fighter jet earlier this year, and Berlin is now weighing alternatives.
Merz raised the possibility with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi as both countries seek closer defence cooperation.
Germany’s defence minister and Japan’s defence minister will discuss the matter soon, but Berlin may not decide by Japan’s hoped-for deadline at the start of next year.
The existing partners are already advanced in discussions about dividing the industrial work, so Germany’s potential role remains uncertain.
Germany is examining whether it could join the Japan-, Italy- and UK-led Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), Chancellor Friedrich Merz said in Tokyo.
The move follows the collapse of a joint Franco-German fighter jet project earlier in 2026.
Merz said Germany and Japan would assess whether they could cooperate on fighter aircraft, and their defence ministers would discuss the matter soon.
The existing GCAP partners are already advanced in discussions over how to divide industrial work, and Germany may not meet Japan’s hoped-for decision timeline of early 2027.
- Who
- Germany, led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, is considering a role in GCAP, which is led by Japan, Italy and the UK.
- What
- Germany is assessing whether it could join the fighter jet programme and deepen defence cooperation with Japan.
- When
- Merz announced the assessment on October 28, 2026. He said the defence ministers would meet soon.
- Where
- Merz spoke in Tokyo during a visit to Japan.
- Why
- Germany is considering alternatives after the Franco-German fighter project collapsed. Merz also called for stronger defence cooperation with Japan.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Germany and France ended their plans for a joint fighter jet project after a long dispute.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he was open to German participation in GCAP during a visit to Berlin.
Merz said Germany was examining a role in GCAP while speaking in Tokyo.
The German and Japanese defence ministers are expected to meet to discuss the matter.
- GCAP partners
- Japan, Italy and the UK
- Planned aircraft service entry
- 2035
- Germany’s assessment
- Whether it could play a role in GCAP
- Japan’s hoped-for decision timeline
- By the start of 2027
- Merz’s Tokyo remarks
- October 28, 2026
3 sources
What people are saying
Germany is examining whether it could play a role in the GCAP fighter jet programme
Both countries also want to explore whether cooperation in fighter aircraft construction is possible
the UK was open to German participation in the programme