UK Prime Minister Burnham says Britain open to Germany joining GCAP fighter jet programme

Burnham indicated Britain’s willingness to let Germany join the sixth‑generation fighter jet project alongside Italy, Japan and Canada.

By Felo News Desk · Published Thu, 08 Oct 2026 21:02:07 GMT

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham told reporters in Berlin on Thursday that Britain is "open" to Germany joining the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), the multinational effort to develop a sixth‑generation stealth fighter.

What happened

During his first official visit to Germany since taking office in July, Burnham met German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the German Chancellery. The two leaders discussed defence cooperation and ratified the UK‑German Kensington Treaty, which deepens collaboration on science, technology, defence and security. At the press conference that followed, Burnham said he had "indicated to the Chancellor" that the UK is willing to let Germany become a full participant in GCAP.

What the reports add

Standard.co.uk reported that Burnham’s statement came as part of broader talks on hybrid‑threat security, while Al Jazeera noted that the announcement follows speculation that Germany could join after a Franco‑German fighter programme collapsed in June. Both outlets confirm that Canada was welcomed as an observer nation to GCAP in July.

What was said

"We are talking today about defence collaboration, and I’ve indicated to the Chancellor, in our discussion prior to this ratification, our openness to Germany joining GCAP, the next generation of fighter aircraft," Burnham told reporters, as quoted by Standard.co.uk.

Al Jazeera recorded Burnham adding, "That is something that we seek to progress in the coming period, working with our other partners, Italy and Japan," during the same news conference.

How it came about

The GCAP, originally signed by the UK, Italy and Japan, aims to produce a stealth fighter dubbed "Tempest" equipped with AI and next‑generation sensors. Canada’s observer status was confirmed in July, expanding the programme’s western alliance. Burnham’s openness to German participation follows earlier UK‑German security talks and the ratification of the Kensington Treaty, which Felo previously covered in its October 1 article on Burnham’s EU stance (see earlier coverage). The move reflects a broader Western effort to maintain air superiority amid perceived threats from Russia and China.

Key facts

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Britain is open to Germany joining the Global Combat Air Programme. (standard.co.uk)
The announcement was made during Burnham’s first official visit to Berlin and a press conference with Chancellor Friedrich Merz. (aljazeera.com)
Canada was welcomed as an observer nation to GCAP in July 2026. (aljazeera.com)

Timeline

2026-07-01 — Andy Burnham became UK Prime Minister.
2026-07-15 — UK‑German Kensington Treaty signed, deepening defence and science cooperation.
2026-07-20 — Canada accepted as observer nation to GCAP.