Italy rejects full German role in next-generation fighter project — media

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Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto insisted that Berlin be granted observer status

LONDON, November 14. /TASS/. Italy has rejected a UK proposal to bring Germany into the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) project to develop next-generation fighter jets, the Financial Times reported, citing sources.

Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto strongly opposed full German participation at an online meeting with his UK and Japanese counterparts on the future of the fighter jet project, the newspaper reported. He insisted that Berlin be granted observer status.

The Japanese government was also wary of the unexpected prospect of adding a new partner to an already complex project, the publication’s sources said. It expressed concern that Germany’s involvement could delay the program.

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham proposed bringing Germany into the fighter jet project in October during talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Berlin needed to look for alternatives after the Franco-German project to develop a next-generation European fighter jet collapsed this summer following years of disagreements between the two sides.

The UK, Italy and Japan agreed in December 2022 to develop a sixth-generation fighter jet. The aircraft is intended as an alternative to fighters being developed in the United States. The UK’s BAE Systems, Italy’s Leonardo and Japanese heavy machinery company Mitsubishi Heavy Industries are leading its development.

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