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No single story is dominating coverage of Saudi in the foreign press, but Financial Times is out with a story outlining defense industry executives’ openness to Saudi joining the next generation combat air programme with Japan and Italy if the UK pulls back. Italian defense group Leonardo CEO Roberto Cingolani said he would be “personally very open” to Saudi joining the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) if the UK cuts support after it completes its defense review. “Having a fourth partner could be very convenient for the consortium [and] in that case it could of course be Saudi Arabia,” Cingolani told FT at London’s Farnborough air show.
One door closes, another door opens: The GCAP was initiated in 2023 by the UK, Italy, and Japan to develop an advanced fighter jet by 2035 in response to threats from China and Russia. Saudi has been showing interest in joining the project at the same time as some worry that the program’s 2035 target could be at risk if the United Kingdom pulls out. Some industry analysts believe Saudi could join the program even if the UK stays on, allowing for more countries in the region as potential export markets.
Meanwhile, Bloomberg is out with a piece suggesting that Saudi was looking to avoid a renewed direct conflict with Houthis in Yemen after fresh threats by the group against the Kingdom following its drone attack on Israel.
