Airbus to hold talks with BAE over role in GCAP jet programme, reportedly
BA•Airbus executives will meet BAE Systems counterparts to explore how Airbus could join the Global Combat Air Programme, the Financial Times reportedly said, citing people familiar with the matter. The talks may also cover cooperation on autonomous aircraft and a combat cloud.
1. Exploring cooperation
Airbus executives will meet counterparts from BAE Systems to explore how Airbus could join the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), the Financial Times reportedly said, citing people familiar with the matter. Reuters could not immediately verify the report, and Airbus and BAE did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
2. Possible areas of work
The executives will discuss alternative areas for cooperation, including autonomous “collaborative combative aircraft” and a so-called combat cloud, or digital backbone, to enable data exchange between jets, drones and sensors such as ground radar, the report said.
3. Programme background
Italy, Japan and the UK launched GCAP in 2022 to jointly develop a multi-role stealth fighter due to enter service around 2035. The report follows comments by British Prime Minister Andy Burnham that the UK was open to Germany joining the programme, led by BAE, Leonardo and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. Canada joined as an observer in July, while Saudi Arabia has long been touted as another interested country.
