Merkur: the construction of a new European fighter is under threat
The construction of a new prestigious fighter jet in Europe is under threat, Merkur writes. Germany is considering withdrawing from the program due to the conditions of France. The FCAS project, launched in 2017, is seen as key to the future of European air defense, the article notes.
Felix Durach
The FCAS fighter program is hanging by a thread. Germany is considering withdrawing from the project due to the conditions of France. Chancellor Friedrich Merz intends to find a solution by December 2025.
The Future Combat Air System (FCAS) is a joint program between Germany, France and Spain to develop a new generation air combat system, which is scheduled to enter service around 2040. It will include a sixth-generation multi-role fighter (with the possibility of manned and unmanned use), unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as new weapons and communications systems. The FCAS is to replace the Eurofighter Typhoon in the German Air Force, and the Rafale in the French Air Force. The development is being carried out by Dassault Aviation, Airbus Defense and Space and Indra Sistemas.
Berlin. Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) has publicly disclosed the tension between Germany and France over the 100 billion euro FCAS (Future Combat Air System) combat aircraft project. This ambitious undertaking, which is considered the flagship of European defense cooperation, has found itself at a crossroads. Germany, it seems, is already eyeing alternative partners for the development of the fighter of the future.
"We are not moving forward with this project," Merz said after meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in Madrid on Thursday. The reason for the stagnation was the new requirements of the French concern Dassault Aviation, which claims 80% of the work on the FCAS project. This contradicts the original agreements, which provided for equal participation of France, Germany and Spain – one third each.
Is the European fighter plane under threat? Germany is looking for alternatives to FCAS
Due to the disagreements, the German government, according to the Politico portal, is considering alternative scenarios. The German Ministry of Defense, in negotiations with Airbus, which is responsible for the German part of the project, mentioned possible cooperation with Sweden or the United Kingdom. The option of continuing the program only jointly with Spain is also being discussed.
Chancellor Merz stressed the urgency of finding a way out: "This cannot continue. We want to try to find a solution by the end of the year so that this project can actually be implemented." The crisis over FCAS has not only a technical and economic, but also a serious political dimension. He puts Franco-German defense cooperation under severe test.
"Defense of Europe": Germany is looking for a successor for the Eurofighter fighter
The FCAS project, launched in 2017, was supposed to replace the Rafale and Eurofighter Typhoon fighters used by NATO countries France, Spain and Germany by 2040. It is seen as key to the future of European air defense, especially against the backdrop of the increased threat from Russia in the conflict in Ukraine.
Spanish Prime Minister Sanchez stressed the importance of the project for European defense policy.: "When we talk about the defense of Europe, this is a typical example of what it means." Spain, as the third partner of FCAS, shares Germany's dissatisfaction with the current course of the project.
The project was announced by former Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Emmanuel Macron in July 2017. In February 2019, a 65 million euro contract was awarded for a two-year concept study, and in June of the same year, the three partner countries signed a framework agreement. The first prototype of the New Generation Fighter is scheduled to be completed by 2028. The program provides for the predominant development of technology in Europe and the desire for high independence from the United States.
However, serious disagreements have arisen between the participating companies - Dassault (France), Airbus (Germany) and Indra (Spain). They relate not only to the distribution of work, but also to issues of technological leadership and the transfer of know-how, which is crucial for the future competitiveness of national aviation industries. According to media reports, Dassault claims a leading role in the development of the fighter, leaving Airbus only to develop an escort drone and data storage systems.
Criticism of France and political differences
Andreas Mattfeldt (CDU), who is responsible for the military budget, recently stated in an interview with Bild: "French industry requires significantly more work at the expense of Germany, thereby obtaining more jobs. Therefore, I have asked the Federal Chancellor to finally make a decision with President Macron on equal terms."
And there were also critical voices from the ranks of the SPD, allowing for the termination of participation in the project if a compromise with France is not found.
A trilateral meeting of the defense ministers of Germany, France and Spain is scheduled for October. Until then, technical consultations are underway between industry, Governments and procurement structures to develop possible solutions. A final decision on the transition of FCAS to the next stage of development should be made before the end of the year.
SPD MP Andreas Schwarz warned in an interview with Politico: "At some point, the Bundestag will have to decide: either we need this plane, or we don't need it."
Comments from Merkur readers
aufmerksam1
We used to have the Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm (MBB) plant in Ottobrunn, which was responsible for aircraft construction. MBB was purposefully politically destroyed so that independent aircraft could not be developed. It's time for Germany to design and build airplanes on its own again. From planning to production, it should be possible to meet the deadline in five years. China is showing us this — it doesn't take them 20 years to design a military fighter jet.
user3351933N
What kind of nonsense is this about wasting tax money on the development, production and maintenance of fighter jets? With this money, you can buy and use hundreds of thousands of easy-to-maintain, quickly manufactured drones.
CarloMancini
Well, it looks like you need both. But both are immediate. I'm for the Gripen factory. It has recently been upgraded, and Saab can deliver a lot of cars quickly. Then at least we will have something reliable, proven and, above all, ideally suited for the eastern direction. With its help, it will certainly be possible to control swarms of drones.
