Reference News Network, September 29 - According to the UK's Daily Telegraph website on September 27, sources in the industry have revealed that due to a disagreement between Germany and France on another European fighter program, the UK is prepared to allow Germany to join the "Global Combat Air Program" project.

The current participants of the "Global Combat Air Program" are the UK, Japan, and Italy, but there are speculations that Germany may also join the project.

Industry sources said that the final decision-making power remains with the governments of the participating countries, and due to the project being in its later stages, the scope for Germany's participation in research and development is very limited.

However, the sources did not rule out the possibility of Germany joining the "Global Combat Air Program" as a buyer, and Germany may have some say in certain aspects of the fighter jet, including the unmanned aerial vehicle platforms expected to be used in conjunction with it.

For the UK and its partners, getting Germany to join the "Global Combat Air Program" would be a major achievement, further enhancing the economic benefits of the project.

The German government stated that it currently prefers to remain in another competing project, the "Future Air Combat System," which is being advanced by Germany in collaboration with France and Spain.

However, the internal relationships within this project are clearly very tense. It is reported that German officials and Airbus, which represents the German industrial sector in the project, are dissatisfied with Dassault Aviation's request to renegotiate the contract.

Dassault Aviation is the manufacturer of the high-performance Rafale fighter jet. It is reported that the company, citing its own aviation expertise, has requested more control over the "Future Air Combat System" project and a larger share of the tasks.

However, Airbus insisted that it would not restart the contract negotiations. According to the Politico website, the German government has privately explored other alternative options, including the possibility of establishing cooperation with the UK or Sweden.

Meanwhile, Eric Trappier, CEO of Dassault Aviation, said: "The Germans can complain, but we know how to move the project forward. If they want to go it alone, let them."

Industry sources pointed out that the biggest concern about Germany joining the "Global Combat Air Program" is the risk of project delays.

Currently, the UK, Japan, and Italy, after difficult negotiations, have completed their divisions and are accelerating the project, aiming to sign the final contract this year. Restarting negotiations would not be attractive and could jeopardize the already tight project schedule. In particular, Japan has very urgent requirements for the project timeline, hoping to deploy a fully operational aircraft by 2035.

In addition, the three countries plan to launch a technology demonstrator in 2027.

A spokesperson for the UK Ministry of Defence did not comment on Germany's potential involvement in the project, but reiterated the UK's commitment to the "Global Combat Air Program" and emphasized the project's focus on "interoperability" with allies.

The "Global Combat Air Program" was initially launched by the UK under the "Tempest" next-generation fighter project, and now integrates the next-generation fighter development plans of the UK, Italy, and Japan. The project aims to develop a supersonic stealth fighter capable of serving as a "platform of platforms," coordinating drones, missiles, battlefield communications, and intelligence collection systems.

Currently, the UK, Japan, and Italy have established a joint venture, Skyrise, to accelerate the project's development. The company was jointly established by BAE Systems of the UK, Japan Aircraft Industry Promotion Co., Ltd., and Leonardo of Italy, and will coordinate the participation of numerous industrial enterprises, including Rolls-Royce of the UK, in the project.

A spokesperson for Skyrise said: "The three participating countries of the 'Global Combat Air Program' emphasize that, based on their shared consideration of the optimal solution for the project and mutual benefit, they are willing to cooperate with other countries through this project."

Independent defense analyst Francis Tusa predicted that it would be very difficult to adjust the already determined project arrangements, which would significantly limit Germany's potential role in the project.

Tusa pointed out that Germany's disagreement with France has put it in an awkward position, as Germany does not have the capability to independently develop fighter jets. Another potential alternative option is for Germany to collaborate with Sweden to advance the future fighter jet project. (Translated by Liu Baiyun)

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7555399984481534490/

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