UK official Burnham has said he is open to Germany joining the Global Combat Air Programme, according to a report by Al Jazeera.
GCAP is a partnership between the United Kingdom, Italy and Japan to develop a new fighter jet. The programme brings together European and Japanese defence interests in a major long-term aircraft project.
Canada was welcomed as an observer in July. Observer status places Ottawa alongside the programme without making it a party to the existing UK-Italy-Japan pact.
Burnham's position does not by itself establish German participation or a timetable for any decision. The reported comments nonetheless leave open the prospect of a broader European role around the programme.