France, as one of the four main partners, is considering a quit from the multi-national Eurodrone MALE UCAV programme, which aims for an MQ-9 alternative.
Following a series of delays, including the Preliminary Design, which was completed in May 2024, and a stated lack of coordination, France is considering quitting the Eurodrone programme, Infodefensa reported.
While France is considering the bailout, it is still discussing the decision with the partnering nations not to impact the programme further.
Despite the call from the European countries in the lead of the union’s defence industry for joint efforts, some multi-national programmes like FCAS and Eurodrone are nevertheless facing the danger of a consortium breakdown.
Eurodrone is expected to roll out a European alternative to heavier UCAV platforms like MQ-9 with an MTOW of 11 tonnes and two turboprop engines in development, which aligns with the recently voiced desires for the EU to produce its defence equipment with minimum dependence. However, as it is seen from the recent examples, rallying the industrial capabilities of the European Union is only one part and keeping the consortiums working without cracks is another.
Author: Kaan Azman
Editor:Özgür Ekşi
