British Prime Minister Andy Burnham proposed Germany's involvement in the **Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP)**, a project aimed at developing a sixth-generation fighter jet. During his first official visit to Germany on October 8, Burnham discussed this idea with Chancellor Friedrich Merz, as reported by the German news agency dpa. Burnham stated in Berlin that the UK wants to move forward with this proposal in the coming period. According to German government sources, defense ministers are now being asked to consider cooperation, though Berlin has clarified that this is not yet a formal decision or a commitment. The proposal comes in the wake of the collapse of the Franco-German SCAF (Future Combat Air System) fighter jet project, which had aimed to develop a next-generation aircraft but was abandoned in 2022. This new initiative coincides with the entry into force of the German-British friendship and cooperation treaty, signed on the same day as Burnham’s visit. This treaty is expected to strengthen defense and security cooperation between the two countries. The **GCAP** is being led by Edgewing, a joint company formed by BAE Systems (UK), Leonardo (Italy), and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co. Ltd. (JAIEC, Japan). The future sixth-generation fighter jet is intended to enter service by 2035, meeting the needs of the UK, Italy, and Japan, while also potentially opening the door to exports. The program was created by merging the British Tempest project with Japan’s F-X program, which was launched in late 2022. Canada joined the program as an observer in July during the last Farnborough air show, a major international aviation event.