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German defense officials have formally advised Berlin to pursue a new sixth-generation fighter jet project alongside Sweden and Spain instead of joining the British-led Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) with Italy and Japan, according to internal ministry documents seen by POLITICO.
The assessment describes the proposed three-country venture as “the more advantageous and promising” option, reflecting Berlin’s fear of losing control of key technology and defense contracts. It proposes a joint venture between Airbus and Saab built on the three countries’ closely aligned military requirements.
Officials argue that GCAP is geared toward operations beyond Germany’s core needs — emphasizing the maritime missions suited to Britain and Japan rather than the continental-European combat the German Air Force plans for. The documents also warn that joining an already-established program would leave German manufacturers limited scope to secure a substantial share of development and production contracts, and direct particular criticism at BAE Systems — accusing the British company of putting export objectives ahead of German and Italian development interests and warning that British dominance would prevent an equal partnership.
The recommendation is not a government decision, and Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has not endorsed it. The German defense ministry confirmed only that “initial coordination talks” on sixth-generation requirements had taken place and declined to comment on the internal assessment.
Airbus said it was open to partnerships if German and Spanish manufacturers obtained a substantial, equal role across development, production and operation. “Purely political decisions without an industrial foundation fall short,” a company spokesperson said, calling for prompt decisions from Berlin and Madrid. Saab said it remained open to fighter partnerships but emphasized that governments would determine participation in any major multinational program.
The search for a Eurofighter successor follows the definitive collapse of the Franco-German Future Combat Air System (FCAS) in June 2026, derailed by “unbridgeable differences” between Airbus and Dassault Aviation over industrial workshare and technological control. France has since moved ahead alone on its Rafale F5. In Berlin on October 8, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham discussed potential German participation in GCAP with Chancellor Friedrich Merz; the leaders agreed officials should continue talks.
To keep sovereign expertise alive while Berlin decides, eight German companies have formed “Team Gen 6,” and the first German F-35A was handed over in Fort Worth, Texas, in September 2026.