Leonardo CEO says German entry into GCAP could delay 2035 jet debut

Leonardo chief Lorenzo Mariani said Germany’s possible participation in the GCAP sixth-generation fighter project would bring additional funding and technical expertise, but could also affect the programme’s 2035 target for the aircraft’s first flight.

Mariani told Defense News that while a new partner would improve capabilities and cost sharing, “we have to be mindful that this might have an impact on development schedule and milestones. So we need to bear in mind we have to find the right balance.” He added that Europe should avoid developing too many concurrent sixth-generation fighters, calling such overlap unaffordable and detrimental to competitiveness.

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has outlined three options to replace the collapsed Franco-German FCAS programme: buying more F-35s, joining an existing international effort, or launching a new German-led project with Airbus and other partners.

The GCAP consortium of Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom aims to fly its new aircraft by 2035, a deadline that Japan reportedly worries could slip, especially as the UK faces challenges in securing additional defence funding.

Separately, Airbus is reportedly exploring a partnership with Sweden’s Saab as part of broader European efforts to develop a next-generation fighter.