Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has said Italy is in favor of Saudi Arabia joining the joint development of a new sixth-generation fighter jet.

Italy signed agreements worth around $10 billion with Saudi Arabia as part of a strengthened strategic partnership, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said after meeting Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

On January 27, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Italy is in favor of Saudi Arabia joining the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP), according to the Italian Prime Minister’s Office. Italy, Japan, and the U.K. launched the GCAP in December 2022 with a goal of deploying the next-generation fighter by 2035.

ROME (Reuters) - Italy is in favour of Saudi Arabia joining the GCAP fighter jet programme, which currently involves Italy, Britain and Japan, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Monday. Meloni, who was in Saudi Arabia over the weekend, said it would take time to open up the multi-billion-euro programme to a fourth nation.

The U.K., Italy and Japan have already partnered on the Global Combat Air Programme, which aims to put a new stealth fighter with supersonic capability in the skies by 2035.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Sunday as she looks to boost ties with the oil-rich kingdom. The two signed a declaration that elevates the countries' bilateral relations to the level of a strategic partnership and initiates closer cooperation in an array of fields,

Italy is a strong trading partner of Saudi Arabia's, and the two countries are eying cooperation on renewable energy.

Italian insurer and export credit agency Sace said Sunday that it signed five accords worth $6.6 billion in Saudi Arabia.

Mohammed bin Salman, Giorgia Meloni sign agreement to establish strategic partnership council between Saudi and Italian governments - Anadolu Ajansı

Italy signed agreements worth around $10 billion with Saudi Arabia as part of a strengthened strategic partnership, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Sunday after meeting Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.