Story perspectives

UK Signals Openness to Germany Joining Combat Air Program

By Drooid · Oct 9, 2026, 6:37 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the UK is open to Germany joining the Global Combat Air Programme.
Burnham and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called the idea early-stage exploration with no decision made.
The leaders ratified a bilateral security-defence treaty and pledged joint action against hybrid threats.
The programme, led by BAE Systems, Leonardo and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, aims for a sixth-generation fighter by 2035.

History

Historical Context

Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH, created in 1986, signed its first production contract on 30 January 1998, launching a €90 billion programme that delivered 244 Typhoons to the UK, Germany, Italy and Spain by 2020. The UK’s invitation to Germany to join the Global Combat Air Programme echoes that four-nation collaboration as Europe pursues a sixth-generation fighter.

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Story summary

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the UK is open to Germany joining the Global Combat Air Programme.
Burnham and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called the idea early-stage exploration with no decision made.
The leaders ratified a bilateral security-defence treaty and pledged joint action against hybrid threats.
The programme, led by BAE Systems, Leonardo and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, aims for a sixth-generation fighter by 2035.

1 / 2