UK PM advocates for joint fighter jet production with Italy and Japan

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has underscored the significance of a collaborative fighter jet production programme with Italy and Japan.

This endorsement comes amidst concerns that his new government might reconsider its involvement in the initiative.

During an official visit to Rome, where he met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Starmer emphasized the critical role of the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) — known in the UK as Tempest, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media.

The discussions centred on defence matters and the two countries' joint participation in GCAP.

In a joint statement issued after their meeting, Starmer and Meloni affirmed the importance of their shared defence programmes, highlighting their commitment to advancing GCAP and their mutual national security interests. “We agreed on the vital importance of our joint defence programmes, including GCAP, to our shared national security interests and related defence industry capabilities,” the statement read.

Despite earlier speculation that Britain's involvement in GCAP might be reviewed, Starmer reiterated the programme’s significance. Although he did not commit unequivocally to continued participation, he stressed its importance during a July address.

On September 16, Starmer also met with executives from Leonardo, the defence company involved in the GCAP project, which announced a $574.50 million investment in its UK operations. This investment underscores the ongoing commitment to the GCAP fighter jet project and the broader defence collaboration between the UK, Italy, and Japan.