Leonardo Boss: Germany, France Unlikely to Join Tempest Jet Program

The prospect of Germany and France joining the Tempest fighter jet program, also known as the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), has been met with skepticism from a key partner. Lorenzo Mariani, head of Italian defense giant Leonardo, stated that bringing these nations into the project at this stage would be too disruptive.

Germany's collaboration with France on a separate sixth-generation fighter jet has recently collapsed, leading to speculation that it might seek to join GCAP, a joint effort by the United Kingdom, Italy, and Japan. However, Mariani, whose company is a participant in GCAP, indicated that Germany would likely not accept a junior role and that its inclusion could cause delays.

"The only risk is disruption and in the case of Germany I personally think it would be difficult to propose the status of observer," Mariani said. "Unless under the status of observer, another nation joining, another group of industries joining the programme would risk producing some delays. At the moment we are all fully committed to the 2035 date for the aircraft."

Canada has recently joined the GCAP initiative as an observer. Mariani suggested that Germany, which has already invested in fighter jet development, would have little incentive to enter GCAP as an observer. "If I were in their shoes, I would have no reason to start an observer process. Why should I simply observe? I already have matured some experience, I have an industry up and running, industrial capability money, so why should I wait?"

Mariani also expressed doubts about France joining GCAP, citing similar reasons for the breakdown of its partnership with Germany. "The objectives that France has – seen from outside – do not look aligned with the ones of GCAP, especially from the industrial point of view," he commented.