Italy has never opposed Germany's participation in the GCAP program; on the contrary, it has supported it. This was explained in a statement from the Ministry of Defense following the Financial Times' report that Italy opposed Germany's entry into the Global Combat Air Program, an international program to develop a new sixth-generation fighter jet intended to replace the current Eurofighter Typhoon and other combat aircraft.
A reconstruction that is "completely misleading and does not reflect the position Italy has always maintained. Italy has always expressed its full willingness to welcome Germany into the program. Indeed, precisely to facilitate and accelerate this process, Italy proposed that Germany join as an observer, as an immediate facilitator of information sharing on the Program with a view to subsequent full membership."
This proposal "was not intended to limit Germany's future role in the program. On the contrary, it aimed to accelerate the conditions for its involvement as much as possible, while safeguarding the program's progress and the established timeline."
Therefore, the statement continues, "any report of opposition to Germany's participation is completely false. Italy has demonstrated, through its actions and proposals, that it views Germany's involvement as a positive opportunity."
Our priority remains "to ensure that the GCAP proceeds according to the agreed timetable, while creating the conditions for the accession of new partners through a clear and effective process. Italy supports, without delay, all the conditions to welcome Germany's participation in the GCAP as soon as possible."
(Unioneonline)
