Airbus ready for linkup with UK-Japan-Italy fighter jet

28. Oct 2026

(AWP Alliance News) - Airbus SE Chief Executive Officer Guillaume Faury said Wednesday that the European plane maker could join a British-Japanese-Italian consortium to build a next generation fighter jet after the collapse of a Franco-German rival.

The Leiden, Netherlands-based aerospace company represented Germany and Spain in the Franco-German scheme which failed amidst disputes over the design and Faury said that the German government was now in contact with other countries over possible "partnerships".

The Airbus CEO told a media call that joining the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) with Britain, Japan and Italy was one a "potential" solution but there were others.

The three countries have already allotted more than USD5.5 billion for the jet, aiming to have it in service by 2035. Canada has joined the programme as an observer.

"We are supporting and working closely with the German and the Spanish governments on the future of the next generation fighter" which must be "in Europe and for Europe", Faure said.

"Basically at Airbus we continue to believe in the need for a sixth generation fighter in Europe as a cooperation programme. And we want to be part of that solution for Europe."

Faure said it would be for governments to decide "ideally not in the too distant future".

Moves to build a Franco-German jet collapsed in June with Dassault Aviation, which acted for France, failing to agree a design with Airbus and the German military. Dassault is now going it alone with the French state to build a jet to take over from the Rafale.

Airbus shares closed down 0.4% at EUR191.92 each in Paris on Wednesday.

source: AFP