Airbus-BAE joint fighter-jet talks planned

By the Editorial Team · Monday, October 26, 2026

Airbus executives will meet with BAE Systems to discuss potential collaboration on the UK-led Global Combat Air Programme, aiming to include Airbus and its Spanish partner Indra alongside current participants BAE, Leonardo, and Mitsubishi. This meeting could pave the way for Germany’s involvement, bringing crucial investment and industrial contributions to the project while navigating challenges related to workshare agreements and the 2035 operational deadline.

Airbus executives are set to meet with counterparts from BAE Systems in the coming week to explore possibilities for collaboration on the UK-led Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), a next-generation fighter-jet project. The discussions aim to assess how Airbus and its Spanish partner Indra might join the initiative, which currently involves BAE, Italy’s Leonardo, and Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. Sources familiar with the plans emphasized that no final decisions are expected at this early stage.

The talks follow recent remarks by UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham expressing openness to Germany’s participation in GCAP. Berlin has been seeking new partners after the collapse of its previous joint project with France and Spain, known as the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), a breakdown attributed to an industrial dispute between Airbus and French company Dassault Aviation. A separate German-led effort, backed by Airbus and Indra, to develop an alternative program was abandoned, leaving GCAP as a primary option for Germany.

However, integrating Airbus and Indra into GCAP presents complexities. The current partners have already agreed on key workshare arrangements and intellectual property ownership, and the UK, Italy, and Japan are determined to maintain the timeline of having the fighter jet operational by 2035. A British official commented that the programme is progressing steadily and emphasized a reluctance to delay schedules, while inviting Germany to express interest so discussions can proceed.

Germany’s potential involvement brings financial investment and additional orders that could benefit GCAP. Airbus, BAE, and Leonardo are already collaborators on the Eurofighter Typhoon programme, which adds an existing dimension to industrial ties. Mike Schoellhorn, head of Airbus’s German Defence and Space division, recently stated that Airbus would seek a significant role in shaping the project. German officials share this stance, highlighting the need for an industrial agreement that ensures a fair distribution of work not only for Airbus but also other German companies, including MTU Aero Engines.

Besides the core fighter jet development, Airbus and BAE plan to explore joint ventures in emerging areas such as autonomous “collaborative combat aircraft” and the “combat cloud,” a software platform intended to integrate aircraft with sensors, radars, drones, and satellites.

Germany is also considering an alternative partnership with Swedish defence firm Saab. However, the relatively long service life expected of Saab’s Gripen fighter jet, projected to remain operational until 2060, means Sweden currently faces less urgency in making a decision about new fighter development.

Neither Airbus nor BAE commented extensively on the upcoming talks, though Airbus referenced recent statements by Schoellhorn, and BAE described the meeting as a routine engagement.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.