Italy refused Germany full participation in the GCAP combat project. Financial Times.
Rome offered Berlin observer status without participating in the development of a joint fighter jet between Britain, Italy and Japan.
Italy and Japan fear that Germany's accession will delay the implementation of the project and reduce the volume of orders for their aircraft industry. Berlin considers the observer status unacceptable and demands a significant role in the production in exchange for funding.
Germany is looking for alternatives after the failure in June of a joint €100 billion battle project with France.