ROME : Italy’s defense minister Guido Crosetto has renewed criticism of the United Kingdom’s approach to technology sharing within the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), arguing that limited access to advanced British technologies could undermine the objectives of the trilateral sixth-generation fighter jet project involving Italy, the U.K. and Japan.
In comments to Defense News, Crosetto said London was not doing enough to share key technologies linked to the development of the next-generation combat aircraft, warning that such reluctance risked weakening collective security efforts among allies. According to the Italian minister, withholding advanced military capabilities within the partnership could ultimately benefit rival powers, including Russia and China.
The remarks mark the second time Crosetto has publicly singled out the U.K. over the issue. In April 2025, he told Reuters that London needed to dismantle what he described as “barriers of selfishness” in the program. At that time, he said Italy had already fully opened access to its technologies, while Japan had done so almost entirely, adding that the United Kingdom appeared significantly more cautious.
Speaking again this week, Crosetto said his assessment had not changed. He stated that the U.K. remained unwilling to share certain advanced technologies and argued that such an approach was counterproductive at a time of heightened global security challenges.
Italy Signals Openness on Industrial Cooperation
Crosetto said Italy was attempting to set an example for its partners through its engagement with Leonardo, the Italian aerospace and defense group leading Italy’s industrial contribution to GCAP. According to the minister, he has instructed Leonardo to share relevant technologies with partner nations involved in the program.
By taking this step, Crosetto said Italy hoped to encourage reciprocal actions from its partners and reinforce the collaborative nature of the project, which is intended to integrate advanced sensors, propulsion systems, and combat capabilities into a next-generation fighter aircraft.
Progress Compared With Other European Programs
Despite the dispute over technology sharing, overall progress on GCAP has been described as relatively smooth, particularly when compared with Europe’s rival Future Combat Air System (FCAS) program involving France, Germany and Spain. The FCAS effort has faced repeated delays and internal tensions over work-share arrangements among participating industries and governments.
In the United Kingdom, a dedicated tri-nation GCAP government office is now operating to coordinate closely with industrial consortia responsible for key elements of the aircraft, including sensors, propulsion and systems integration. The program’s current objective is to deliver the aircraft by 2035.
Rising Costs and Domestic Scrutiny in Italy
The program has also drawn political attention in Italy following a recent announcement that the projected cost of designing and developing the fighter jet has increased significantly. Italian officials disclosed that the estimated bill has risen from €6 billion in 2021 to €18.6 billion, prompting criticism from opposition parties concerned about defense spending and budgetary pressures.
Italian authorities have not indicated any intention to withdraw from GCAP, and the government has continued to emphasize the strategic importance of the program for national defense and industrial competitiveness.
Japan–Italy Political Support for GCAP
High-level political backing for the program was reaffirmed earlier this month during a meeting between Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae. According to official statements, both leaders expressed satisfaction with the progress of the Global Combat Air Programme and underscored their shared commitment to the initiative.
GCAP is intended to replace existing fighter fleets in all three countries and strengthen long-term defense cooperation across Europe and the Indo-Pacific. While differences remain over the scope and pace of technology sharing, participating governments continue to present the project as a cornerstone of future air combat capability and allied industrial collaboration.
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