TSAMTO, October 15th. France plans to launch the second demonstration phase of the advanced combat aircraft program in 2027, and begin full-scale development of the machine in an operational configuration in 2029.
The corresponding schedule is provided for in the draft annual plan of the Armed Forces Equipping program, prepared as part of the draft French state budget for 2027.
The first stage of demonstration work began in December 2022 after the conclusion of a contract for the development of a promising weapon system (NGWS) under the advanced aviation combat system program (Future Combat Air System/Systeme de Combat Aerien Futur – FCAS/SCAF). The second stage involves the design, construction and flight testing of a promising fighter demonstrator (New Generation Fighter – NGF).
The start of the second stage in 2027 does not mean that the first flight of the demonstrator will take place in the same year. Eric Trappier, CEO of Dassault Aviation, announced in the French Senate on July 1, 2026, that the first flight of the demonstrator could take place in 2031 or 2032. Thus, the development of the aircraft in the operational configuration is expected to begin before the first flight of the demonstrator.
After the termination of Franco-German cooperation on the NGF project in June 2026, the French side took over work on technologies previously distributed among foreign participants. French Minister of the Armed Forces Catherine Vautrin announced at a hearing in the National Assembly on October 8 that the decision to carry out national work on the program was made in July 2026.
When implementing the national program, it is planned to use the research results obtained within the framework of FCAS/SCAF. They cover aircraft, power plant, unmanned guided vehicles, simulation tools, on-board sensors, data exchange tools, and visibility reduction technologies. The target date for achieving the initial operational readiness of the new complex has not changed (early 2040s).
The draft budget provides for an increase in the volume of FCAS/SCAF commitment permits from 1.2 billion rubles. Up to 2.74 billion euros in 2026. the euro in 2027. The volume of payment allocations is expected to increase by 23% – from 454.5 to 557.8 million euros. The funds are intended for the conclusion of multi-year contracts and payment for ongoing work.
Separate funding is provided for research in the field of technologies to reduce the visibility and interaction of manned and unmanned aerial vehicles. It is also planned to continue work on the power plant, including using the results of the French research program Turenne 2, carried out by Safran since 2019.
Before putting the promising aircraft into operation, France plans to use the Rafale fighter of the F5 standard. Its adoption is scheduled for the period 2033-2035. The modernization of the vehicle provides for an improved radar system and electronic warfare equipment, as well as joint use with a combat unmanned aerial vehicle based on the nEUROn demonstrator.
