End of FCAS: German-French fighter jet failed

No Consensus German-French Fighter Aircraft Will Never Take Off

2026-06-10 Source: dpa | Translated by AI 1 min Reading Time

After what are said to be long disputes, the billion-dollar armament project regarding the German-French fighter jet has now failed mercilessly ...

The German-French fighter jet will probably remain just a thought forever. Because German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron have decided that it simply won't work with Airbus and Dassault ...(Image: Karambasamba) — The German-French fighter jet will probably remain just a thought forever. Because German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron have decided that it simply won't work with Airbus and Dassault ...
(Image: Karambasamba)

End for the German-French fighter jet! German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron have come to the joint assessment that the companies Dassault and Airbus have not really come together on the project. At least, this is the word from German government circles. This reality has simply been acknowledged. Merz therefore suggested to Macron to file away the construction of a joint fighter jet. From the Élysée Palace, it was stated that both regret that the industrial companies were unable to agree on continuing the project. The Greens are now complaining that the failure is negligent and that politics should have taken the lead, but as a political organization, they obviously did nothing themselves to ensure that the fighter jet would one day be operational.

Few—But Feasible—Defense Projects are to Continue

However, France remains of the opinion that German-French cooperation is necessary for both countries as well as for European partners in the field of defense and security. According to statements from German government circles, the joint networking of different weapon systems is to be continued. This refers to planes and drones or sensors in a so-called combat cloud. The "Future Combat Air System" (FCAS) project is therefore not entirely off the table. In mid-July, the defense ministries of Germany and France are to present a so-called modern work plan for defense industrial cooperation during a joint cabinet meeting (ministerial council). This plan will focus only on a few but feasible and relevant projects.

An Airbus A350-1000 ULR on a test flight in Toulouse. (Image:(Airbus))

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