GCAP Project May Expand to Include Germany Amid FCAS Program Collapse
The Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), a collaborative defense initiative involving the UK, Italy, and Japan, may soon include Germany as a participant. This development follows the potential collapse of the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) project, which has been plagued by disagreements between Dassault and Airbus over work distribution. Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto has indicated that Germany could join GCAP, although the positions of the other participating countries remain unclear. The GCAP project, which aims to develop a next-generation fighter jet, is reportedly progressing better than the FCAS, with main contractors Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, BAE Systems, and Leonardo having agreed on equal cooperation. However, the inclusion of new participants like Germany could require existing members to adjust their shares in the program.