Italy Criticizes UK for Withholding Tech in Global Combat Air Program

Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto has publicly criticized the UK for not fully sharing technology with Italy and Japan in the joint Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), which aims to develop a next-generation fighter jet by 2035. Crosetto accused London of maintaining 'barriers of selfishness,' contrasting it with what he described as more open cooperation from Italy and Japan, and emphasized that mutual technology sharing is vital for a serious partnership. While he did not specify which technologies were being withheld, Crosetto argued that no partner should be treated as first or second class in such collaborative ventures. The UK Ministry of Defence responded by highlighting the collaborative nature of GCAP and asserting that the technologies being developed are at the cutting edge of science and engineering. Additionally, Crosetto expressed support for Saudi Arabia joining the program, citing its resources and technological needs as beneficial to the partnership. The three countries' leading aerospace firms have established a joint company to drive the project forward.