Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto expressed concerns that Britain is not fully sharing technologies with Italy and Japan in the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), a major project to develop a new fighter jet by 2035.
Crosetto urged the British government to overcome its reluctance and “break down some barriers of selfishness,” emphasizing that sharing technology is crucial to a serious relationship among partners.
According to Crosetto, Italy has fully committed to sharing technology, while Japan has done so almost entirely, but the UK appears hesitant, which he believes is a mistake.
The GCAP aims to develop an advanced fighter jet incorporating cutting-edge technologies, including artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and advanced propulsion systems, to rival capabilities being developed by China and Russia.
The project involves pooling resources from the UK, Japan, and Italy to build a sixth-generation warplane, with potential applications in both national defense and international collaborations.
Crosetto’s comments highlight the importance of cooperation and mutual trust among partners in developing next-generation defense technologies.