Airbus to hold talks with BAE over role in GCAP jet programme, FT reports (updated)

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Oct 25 (Reuters) - Airbus AIR.PA executives will meet counterparts from BAE Systems BAES.L to explore how Airbus could join the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), the Financial Times reported on Sunday, citing people familiar with the matter.
GCAP was launched in 2022 by Italy, Japan and the UK with the aim of jointly developing a multi-role stealth fighter, due  to go into service around 2035. 
Reuters could not immediately verify the report. Airbus and BAE did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment outside regular business hours.
At the meeting, Airbus and BAE executives will discuss alternative areas for cooperation, such as on autonomous "collaborative combative aircraft", the report said. 
Another area of cooperation could be the so-called combat cloud, or digital backbone, that would enable data exchange between jets, drones and sensors such as ground radar, the report added.
The report comes after British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said earlier this month that the UK was open to Germany joining the GCAP, led by BAE, Leonardo LDOF.MI and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries 7011.T. It expanded for the first time in July when Canada joined as an observer, potentially paving the way for deeper involvement.
Saudi Arabia has long been touted as another country interested in joining.

 (Reporting by Gnaneshwar Rajan in Bengaluru; Editing by Alison Williams and David Holmes)
 ((Gnaneshwar.Rajan@thomsonreuters.com))