FCAS: German-French fighter jet project failed

Years of preparation

Franco-German fighter jet project failed

The idea of ​​a German-French fighter jet came about nine years ago. After long arguments it is now clear that the project will not work.

Germany and France have stopped their billion-dollar FCAS fighter jet project after years of disputes. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) and French President Emmanuel Macron have come to the common conclusion that the companies involved, Airbus and Dassault, cannot come together to develop a joint fighter aircraft, t-online learned from German government circles on Monday.

Merz therefore suggested to Macron not to pursue the construction of a joint fighter jet. However, the project will not be completely completed. The joint networking of aircraft, drones and sensors in a so-called “Combat Cloud” is to be further developed. The “Future Combat Air System” (FCAS) project will therefore remain in place in parts.

At the German-French Council of Ministers in mid-July, both defense ministries are expected to present a new work plan for cooperation in the defense industry. According to information from Berlin, this should concentrate on “a few realistic, relevant projects”.

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The starting signal for FCAS was given by then-Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) and Macron in 2017. The air combat system was intended to replace the Bundeswehr’s Eurofighter and the French Rafale from the 2040s. What was planned was not just a new fighter jet, but a networked system of manned aircraft, drones and digital communication structures. The total costs were estimated at more than 100 billion euros.

Ultimately, the ideas of the companies involved diverged widely. The French manufacturer Dassault claimed a leadership role and a larger share in the project. On the other hand, the German side insisted on the existing agreements, which provide for equal participation. Disputes over responsibilities, work shares and patent rights repeatedly delayed the project.

The political decision was postponed several times. According to government sources, Merz and Macron finally agreed on the end of the joint fighter jet at a meeting on the sidelines of the Western Balkans summit in Montenegro. In addition to Germany and France, Spain was also involved in FCAS.

Another key problem was the different military requirements of the two countries. France needs a nuclear-capable model for the next generation of its fighter aircraft that can also be used on aircraft carriers. The Bundeswehr does not have these requirements.