Airbus to discuss GPAC fighter opportunities with BAE Systems: FT

Airbus and BAE Systems are set for talks over possible opportunities for the European planemaker to play a role in the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), according to the Financial Times.

The GCAP fighter jet program is currently jointly led by the United Kingdom, Italy and Japan, but could also welcome Germany into the fold, after its own fighter project with France reached the end of the line earlier this year.

According to the Financial Times, talks between Airbus and the UK’s BAE Systems will take place in the following weeks, and include discussions around several options for potential collaboration.

Sources told the British newspaper that uncrewed autonomous Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) would also be an area of discussion.

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GCAP is a joint venture led by BAE, Leonardo and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries along with companies such as Rolls Royce, MBDA and Avio Aero.

In an interview this month with Handelsblatt, Mike Schoellhorn, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space, said the company would want to take a “key role” in the project and “won’t just be making the fin or a wing”.

Some industry commentary has suggested that the program could be disrupted if Berlin pushed hard for a large design role, and a collaboration would need to be carefully managed.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said on October 8, 2026, that the UK was open to Germany joining GCAP.

“I’ve indicated to the chancellor our openness to Germany joining GCAP,” Burnham said, during a joint press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

Prime Minister Burnham said he would seek to move the idea forward “in the coming period” with Italy and Japan.

An alternative option for Germany and Airbus is to partner up with Sweden’s Saab which builds the Gripen jet.

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