Britain’s new fighter jets could face YEARS of delays if Germany joins defence programme

Britain’s new fighter jets could face years of delays if Germany joins the defence programme.

Senior industry figures have cautioned that Britain’s Tempest stealth fighter could slip behind schedule by as much as two years should Germany become a full participant in the programme.

The warning follows bilateral discussions earlier this week in which Andy Burnham indicated the UK’s willingness to welcome Berlin into the existing three-nation venture with Italy and Japan, describing it as something they would “seek to progress”.

Multiple sources familiar with the programme said that integrating Germany as a complete partner would jeopardise the target of delivering the next-generation jet by 2035.

One senior figure estimated the setback at “one to two years” at a minimum.

The extent of any disruption would hinge on whether Berlin pursued a substantial role in design and manufacturing or opted merely to purchase the aircraft, sources emphasised.

At an event in Turin yesterday marking the opening of a new facility dedicated to the fighter programme, Lorenzo Mariani, head of Italian defence firm Leonardo, stressed that keeping to the agreed timetable must take precedence.

He said: “We heard about possible other partners from an industrial point of view, we are very happy that new partners want to join.

“But our priority is to stay on time for this programme. This is a fundamental point.”

Japan is understood to share those concerns acutely, given that its F-2 fleet is due for retirement from 2035 and Tokyo faces a growing military threat from China.

Hikariko Ono, Japan’s ambassador to Italy, underlined the stakes at the same gathering: “Current geopolitics demand rapid adaptability and strategic foresight.

“Our mission is very clear: we must deliver a next-generation combat air system by the targeted timeline.”

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The programme, officially designated the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), was founded by treaty three years ago, uniting the next-generation fighter efforts of Britain, Italy and Japan.

Its ambition is to produce a stealthy, supersonic aircraft capable of functioning as a battlefield “system of systems”, orchestrating drones, missiles, communications and intelligence-gathering.

British diplomatic sources maintained that Burnham’s overture to Berlin was in line with earlier statements and simply reflected a readiness to explore possibilities.

Military and diplomatic figures said it remained uncertain what kind of participation Germany might seek, though its considerable industrial weight in Europe has led many to assume it would want more than a straightforward purchasing arrangement.

Reports have also suggested Berlin is weighing up a separate fighter collaboration with Spain and Sweden.

Expanding the partnership could help reduce the programme’s overall cost, which is projected to reach tens of billions of pounds.

Australia and Saudi Arabia are also reported to be in preliminary discussions about involvement.

Canada recently secured observer status within GCAP, a step that grants Ottawa access to sensitive programme information while it considers deeper engagement.

Marco Zoff, chief executive of Edgewing — the company charged with delivering the aircraft — maintained that the window for admitting new nations remained open but acknowledged inevitable compromises.

He said: “Every decision has a trade-off. Not necessarily a trade-off in delays.

“It could be in workshare, it could be on what is flowing on your territory, it could be on technology.”

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: “The UK and our GCAP partners have always expressed openness to additional partners, while maintaining our focus on delivering this vital military capability at pace.

“As the PM has said, any decisions are a matter for the UK, Italy and Japan to decide together.”