Future fighter jet: France and Germany give project one last chance
Illustrative photo: Germany and France to resume development of future fighter jet (Getty Images)
France and Germany will make a final attempt to reach an agreement on the joint development of a next-generation fighter jet. The project deadline is set to expire as early as April, Politico reports.
The Future Combat Air System (FCAS) project has been on hold for several months due to disagreements between the French company Dassault Aviation and Germany’s Airbus Defence and Space. However, today, March 19, officials from Germany and France said they would try to revive the program.
"They just can’t seem to agree. Our job is to ensure they reach an agreement, so we have jointly decided to launch an initiative to bring Airbus and Dassault closer together in the coming weeks," French President Emmanuel Macron said.
At the same time, a German official noted that a result must be achieved by mid-April, and that this would be the last attempt.
"Germany and France have agreed to a final attempt at mediation between the industries, to be conducted by experts. Due to the upcoming decisions on the federal budget, a result must be reached by mid-April," he said.
What is known about FCAS
FCAS is an innovative European combat system being developed by Dassault Aviation, Airbus, and Indra Sistemas. Its components will include remotely operated vehicles as well as a next-generation fighter jet.
A test flight of the demonstrator is expected around 2027, with entry into service planned within the following 10 years. Airbus reports that the first test flight of the FCAS fighter, together with a swarm of drones, is scheduled for 2028 or 2029.
Emmanuel Macron emphasized the need for Europe to focus on developing its own long-range weapons systems in response to Russia’s Oreshnik missile, whose range covers European territories.
In addition, The Wall Street Journal reported that despite rising defense budgets across most EU countries, Europe faces serious gaps in weapons production that could require up to $1 trillion and a decade to resolve.
