Merz Unveils Franco-German Defence System for July Talks After 6th-Gen FCAS Collapse
Updated
Updated · Reuters · Jun 10
Merz Unveils Franco-German Defence System for July Talks After 6th-Gen FCAS Collapse
3 articles · Updated · Reuters · Jun 10
Summary
Friedrich Merz said Germany and France will still build a joint defence system after scrapping the FCAS fighter project, with defence ministers tasked to present an implementation plan before a July bilateral meeting in Germany.
The replacement effort is likely to center on a combat cloud — a digital backbone linking jets, drones and ground radar — after the sixth-generation fighter program collapsed in a rivalry between Airbus and Dassault.
Michael Schoellhorn, who heads Airbus Defence and Space and Germany's aerospace industry association, said Europe still has the capacity to develop FCAS and urged Berlin to issue a clear mandate within weeks.
The announcement came as the Berlin ILA air show opened amid wider strain from the Iran war, which has rattled transatlantic security assumptions, while protesters blocked access and police deployed dozens of officers.
More than 750 exhibitors from 37 countries are attending the June 10-14 event, where Europe is trying to scale up defence production and narrow the gap with U.S. rivals.
After the FCAS jet's collapse, can a new Airbus-Saab alliance deliver Europe's next-generation fighter and challenge American dominance?
Will national rivalries again sabotage Europe's multi-billion dollar quest for military independence from the United States?
With the Iran war crippling airlines, is Europe on the brink of widespread flight cancellations and a severe travel crisis?
FCAS Collapse: Why €100 Billion Couldn't Buy a Unified European Fighter Jet
Overview
The collapse of the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) program, originally launched by France and Germany to develop a sixth-generation fighter by 2040, has forced both countries to rethink their defense strategies. Persistent disagreements between Dassault and Airbus over work division led to the project's failure. Despite this setback, France and Germany still see defense collaboration as essential, but are now shifting toward more focused and achievable projects, such as digital defense networks. This marks a move away from ambitious joint fighter development, highlighting the challenges of balancing national interests with European cooperation.