UK’s Burnham ‘open’ to Germany joining GCAP fighter jet programme

What the report says

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the United Kingdom is open to Germany joining the Global Combat Air Programme, or GCAP, a project with Italy and Japan to develop a new sixth-generation fighter jet. Speaking after talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin, Burnham said he had signaled that openness and wants discussion to continue with the existing partners. Al Jazeera reported that the move comes amid wider speculation that the programme could expand after a separate Franco-German fighter effort collapsed in June.

According to the report, GCAP already drew Canada in as an observer nation in July. The aircraft are intended to strengthen the air capabilities of participating countries and are expected to include advanced systems such as artificial intelligence and next-generation sensors. The possible German involvement matters because it could reshape a major European-led defence project at a time when governments are looking to maintain air superiority and deepen industrial cooperation.

Burnham’s first official visit to Germany since taking office also includes plans for a new UK-Germany security partnership. The agreement is meant to address sabotage, cyberattacks and other hybrid threats, with both sides sharing security information and coordinating efforts to monitor, deter and disrupt risks. Al Jazeera said the leaders are also expected to discuss support for Ukraine, wider European security and trade-route disruptions, and to ratify the 2025 Kensington Treaty covering science, technology, defence, security and economic growth.