Rolls-Royce boss ‘open’ to Germany joining UK’s fighter jet project
The boss of Rolls-Royce has said he would welcome Germany helping to build Britain’s next-generation fighter jet, arguing that it would bring in more business for the project.The aircraft, designed to replace the Eurofighter Typhoon, is a joint effort between the UK, Italy and Japan.Rolls-Royce is building the engine for the jet, which has attracted fresh attention as plans for a rival Franco-German warplane edge towards collapse.Tufan Erginbilgiç, who has run the engineering company since 2023, told the Guardian he would “definitely be open” to Germany joining the global combat aircraft programme (GCAP), also known as Tempest.“We already work with Germany … we have a big position in Dahlewitz [a Rolls-Royce factory near Berlin].
In terms of civil aerospace, we do business aviation engines there,” he said.“But the GCAP benefit will be beyond that.More countries joining means more countries will certainly buy, because you cannot be a partner and not buy.“It is the government’s decision, not mine or any commercial company.Depending on how geopolitics and other things develop, [Germany joining] continues to be a possibility.
”Speculation has mounted around Germany joining GCAP after it fell out with France over their own joint fighter project.The Franco-German future combat air system (FCAS) has stalled amid a rift between the two biggest companies tasked with building it: Dassault, France’s national fighter jet maker, and Airbus’s German-headquartered defence business.In February the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, signalled that the planned warplane did not suit Germany’s needs.The German military did not need a nuclear-capable fighter, while France did, he said, insisting it was “not a political dispute” but a technical one between the two countries.Britain has signalled it would be open to new partners on GCAP, but experts have suggested this could slow down the fighter, which is due to enter service by 2035.
Already, ministers have delayed signing a trilateral contract for the programme, a holdup tied to the publication of a long-overdue defence spending plan.European governments are racing to increase defence spending in response to threats from Russia, and Donald Trump has told the continent it is time to pay for its own security.Erginbilgiç said that while the UK had a “competitive advantage” in some military technology, ramping up spending and production capability was important both for national security and because it fed directly into commercial exports.“Today the UK exports Eurofighters,” he said.“If you don’t have that capability, how am I going to export Eurofighters? You cannot.
It’s as simple as that.Don’t look at a defence programme like a defence programme.It can also help drive economic growth for the country, and improves the technology that you can then use in civil aerospace.”Erginbilgiç was speaking after Rolls-Royce reported that its profits jumped by 40% last year as its turnaround gathered pace, helped by booming demand for power from datacentres.The US-Israel war on Iran could push up the share prices of defence companies when stock markets reopen on Monday.
A UK government spokesperson said: “Together with our partners Japan and Italy, we remain open to other partners joining the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), while keeping on track with the programme schedule and delivering our future military capabilities,”
US Half Marathon Championship ends in chaos as lead runners guided in wrong direction
USA Track & Field has denied an appeal after its Half Marathon Championship in Atlanta ended in chaos.With less than two miles to go in the women’s race, Jess McClain had a significant lead over Ednah Kurgat and Emma Hurley when the guide vehicle took the trio off course. Molly Born, who had been more than a minute behind the leaders, came through to win the race, with Carrie Ellwood and and Annie Rodenfels in second and third. McClain, Hurley and Kurgat finished in ninth, 12th and 13th respectively around two minutes behind Born. Wesley Kiptoo won the men’s race
AFL 2026 predicted ladder part one: Collingwood on a cliff edge as time waits for no one | Jonathan Horn
The Craig McRae-era Magpies play exhilarating football but their age profile makes you wince while other, younger teams are preparing to spikeThe rule changes and AFL adjustments keep coming with the introduction of wildcard round and an extension of the finals series the biggest for many years. But even with 10 clubs playing beyond the home-and-away season for the first time, there will always be teams heading in the wrong direction or simply well off the pace.In the first of a three-part series on 2026 predictions, here’s how we see the bottom part of the ladder playing out.Wooden spoon predictions are rarely brimming with optimism. But this is a great time to be a Richmond person
US hockey star Hilary Knight hits back at Trump’s joke about women’s team during SNL skit
US ice hockey star Hilary Knight aimed a barb at Donald Trump during an appearance on this weekend’s Saturday Night Live.Knight led the US women to gold at last month’s Olympics, scoring the Americans’ first goal as they beat Canada in overtime. But after the US men’s team won gold Trump joked that he would have to invite the women’s team to the White House too or risk being impeached. Many of the men’s players laughed at Trump’s comments, and Knight later called them “distasteful and unfortunate.” While the US men visited the White House last week, Knight and her teammates said they were too busy to attend and will instead celebrate at an event in July organized by rapper Flavor Flav
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The ultimate breakdown: everything you need to know about F1’s new regulations for 2026
In a week’s time, a new era will begin in Formula One as a major shift in regulations brings with it an air of unpredictability when the Australian Grand Prix gets under way in Melbourne.The cars have been made smaller and lighter with the intent of making them more nimble and better to drive, and to facilitate improved racing. The wheelbase has been reduced by 20cm to 340cm and the width by 10cm to 190cm. Across changes in the chassis and to the engine, the overall weight has been reduced by 30kg. Drivers such as Lewis Hamilton have declared themselves generally pleased with the improved handling characteristics of their more sprightly rides, which will operate with approximately 40% less drag, but they will not enjoy the same downforce or pace as with last year’s models and are expected to open the season a second or two slower per lap than last year
Leeds’ Maika Sivo stars in demolition of Hull KR in Las Vegas
Hull KR may be rugby league’s new world club champions but, on the biggest stage the sport can provide its star athletes, it was Leeds Rhinos who produced their very best in Las Vegas to dismantle the Super League champions.A week after stunning Brisbane Broncos, the National Rugby League premiers, to win the World Club Challenge for the first time, the Robins headed to Nevada keen to put on another show to enhance their burgeoning reputation as one of the sport’s great sides. But the Super League champions were humbled by one of their main title rivals.Whether Rovers were fatigued from their exploits against the Broncos is a discussion for another day. But whatever the reason, there is no doubting they were second best here against a Leeds side fast becoming their kryptonite
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