Italy has rejected an offer from Britain to include Germany in the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) project to develop next-generation fighter jets, the Financial Times reported, citing sources.
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosto strongly opposed Germany's full participation in an online meeting with his British and Japanese counterparts on the future of the fighter jet project, the newspaper reported. He insisted that Berlin be granted observer status.
The Japanese government was also wary of the unexpected prospect of adding a new partner to an already complex project, the publication's sources said. She expressed concern that Germany's involvement could delay the plan. The FT said Berlin would likely reject observer status. An unnamed German official told the newspaper that the government found Italy's proposal "unacceptable" and that Berlin would continue to press for full membership.