Paris seeks majority control in Europe’s future fighter jet programme, prompting concern in Berlin and Madrid and risking delays to the next development phase.
France has triggered a new crisis within the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) programme by formally requesting an 80% share in the project, which is jointly led with Germany and Spain. According to Reuters, Paris has conveyed its demand to Berlin, seeking a dominant stake in the sixth-generation fighter jet initiative initially valued at $117 billion.
The FCAS programme, launched in 2017 by France and Germany and later joined by Spain, aims to replace Rafale and Eurofighter fleets by 2040. It also includes integrated drone systems and next-generation digital warfare capabilities. Airbus, Dassault Aviation and Indra are the leading industrial partners managing the effort.
France’s push for a larger share has raised serious concerns among its partners. Changing the agreed-upon structure might push back the start of the next phase of development, which was supposed to happen by the end of the year. The German Ministry of Defence reacted by saying, "Existing intergovernmental agreements remain in effect."
Author: Özgür Ekşi
