The chief executive of Italian defence firm Leonardo says Germany and France are unlikely to join the UK-led Tempest fighter jet programme. The comments, reported by the Daily Mail, indicate that existing partners are not planning to expand participation to those countries. Leonardo’s position effectively dismisses the idea that Germany or France would join the next phase of the programme, which is being developed as a future European sixth-generation combat aircraft effort involving the UK and other stakeholders.
The reporting focuses on a clear rejection of speculation about wider alliance participation. It does not cite immediate policy decisions from governments or provide details on any negotiations that might contradict the assessment. It also does not offer technical or contractual terms for how partners would join the programme.
Overall, the sources converge on one point: Leonardo’s top executive presents the prospect of Germany and France joining Tempest as closed, portraying the programme’s partnership structure as fixed for now.
