After the fall of FCAS fighter, Germany eyes 'realistic' future projects with France
Breaking Defense • • world
Key Points:
- Germany and France have decided to scrap the joint sixth-generation FCAS fighter jet project due to unresolved disagreements among industrial partners, according to German officials.
- Despite ending the fighter jet collaboration, both countries aim to preserve the core technological element: the next-generation data-sharing "system of systems" that integrates aircraft, drones, and other components.
- A Franco-German Ministerial Council meeting in July will focus on drafting a new work plan for defense industry cooperation, emphasizing realistic and relevant projects moving forward.
- The FCAS project, launched in 2017 with a budget of approximately €100 billion, faced persistent issues mainly between French company Dassault and Airbus over leadership, workshare, and design perspectives.
- Belgium, an observer in the FCAS program, criticized the existence of parallel European fighter jet projects, highlighting concerns about a lack of coordination among European defense efforts.