Leonardo says France unlikely to join GCAP, touts potential German role (updated)

Leonardo

21/07/2026 16:52

Adds comments in paragraphs 2 and 7, background in paragraphs 3-6

    FARNBOROUGH, UK, July 21 (Reuters) - Leonardo LDOF.MI Chief Executive Lorenzo Mariani said on Tuesday it was unlikely that France would join the Global Combat Air Programme, the fighter jet project being developed by Italy, Britain and Japan.
"France, I think they will not join GCAP for exactly the same reasons that brought ruptures with Germany," he told reporters.

     His comments come after the 
    collapse
     earlier this year of the rival Future Combat Air System, previously backed by France, Germany and Spain.
  

    FCAS was cancelled after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron concluded that Airbus AIR.PA and France's Dassault Aviation AM.PA were unable to reach an agreement.

     Since then, there has been mounting 
    speculation
     that Britain, Italy and Japan could open the door for another country to join GCAP.
  

    Speaking at the Farnborough International Airshow, Mariani said Germany could be a useful addition to the programme, citing potential benefits in terms of industrial capacity and financing, but added there had been no contact so far with Berlin over a possible partnership.
  
"Germany, from an industrial point of view, is a positive element. It’s a strong industrial partner and financially it’s the strongest in Europe," Mariani said, adding that the downside of another country joining the programme is it would likely lead to delays.

     On Tuesday, 
    Canada joined
     the programme as an observer, the first expansion beyond its founding members.
  

(Reporting Joe Brock, writing by Maria Rugamer; Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise and Sharon Singleton)
((maria.rugamer@thomsonreuters.com;))