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

GCAP pact between the UK, Italy and Japan to build a new fighter jet welcomed Canada as an ‘observer’ in JulyPublished On 8 Oct 20268 Oct 2026Prime ⁠⁠Minister Andy Burnham says the United Kingdom is open to Germany ⁠⁠joining the GCAP programme, a partnership with ⁠⁠Italy and Japan to build a new fighter jet, after meeting Chancellor Friedrich ‌‌Merz in Berlin.“I’ve indicated to the Chancellor … our openness to Germany joining GCAP,” Burnham told a news conference on Thursday.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Ex-German spy chief arrested: A history of spooks working for enemy powerslist 2 of 3Trump invites Putin to Miami G20: Why that matterslist 3 of 3Western militaries are undermining Ukraine’s defence, experts sayend of list“That is something ⁠⁠that we seek ⁠⁠to progress in the coming period, working with our other partners, Italy ⁠⁠and Japan.”There has been growing speculation that the ⁠⁠founding countries of the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) could open the door to ‌‌Germany after a rival Franco-German fighter programme collapsed in ‌‌June.The GCAP pact to build a sixth generation fighter jet welcomed Canada as an “observer nation” in July.As western nations see...