Germany, France in crucial talks over next-generation fighter jet program

Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz confirmed that discussions with France are ongoing regarding the structure of the next-generation fighter jet program, the Future Combat Air System (FCAS). A key question under consideration is whether the project will result in a single aircraft or be split into two separate jets.

The €100 billion initiative has been stalled for over a year, with multiple solutions recently proposed to resolve the deadlock. One option under discussion is to separate the fighter jet component from the broader FCAS system, enabling Germany and France to pursue their own designs independently, Euractiv reports.

Speaking alongside his Lithuanian counterpart in Berlin, Merz said Germany is “currently in intensive talks with France about the extent to which we will continue ⁠to develop and build joint aircraft.”

Despite the uncertainty, Merz expressed confidence that the overarching FCAS program would proceed, emphasizing that “there will definitely be joint systems.” He added that a joint decision on the matter is expected “within the ⁠next few weeks.”

The dispute between the aerospace giants of France and Germany has cast doubts on the program’s future. Both leading contractors, Germany’s Airbus Defence and Space and France’s Dassault, have publicly voiced disagreements regarding the proposed division of work.

Earlier on January 29, Airbus Defence and Space CEO Michael Schöllhorn said that developing two separate fighter jets within the overarching FCAS system would be a “good” solution.

One of the central challenges of the FCAS project—which envisions a next-generation fighter jet operating in tandem with drones and an AI-powered command cloud—lies in reconciling the differing requirements of France and Germany. France’s nuclear deterrence strategy and carrier-based operations demand specifications that diverge from Germany’s preferred design.

The three partner nations—France, Germany, and Spain—had initially aimed to reach a resolution by the end of last year, but discussions have since been postponed indefinitely.

By  Vafa Guliyeva