Dassault Seeks Eurodrone Compensation From Airbus as France Shelves Purchases in 7-Billion-Euro Program
Updated
Updated · Reuters · Jun 11
Dassault Seeks Eurodrone Compensation From Airbus as France Shelves Purchases in 7-Billion-Euro Program
3 articles · Updated · Reuters · Jun 11
Summary
Dassault is seeking compensation from Airbus after France removed funding for Eurodrone purchases through 2035, a shift expected to cut the French group's work share on the delayed program.
The dispute stems from Europe's "geo return" rules, under which fewer French orders would mean less industrial work for Dassault, which handles flight-control and mission-communication systems.
Airbus has said the project is still likely to proceed with a "slightly different setup" despite the French policy change; Paris has not formally exited the four-nation program.
The 7-billion-euro Eurodrone, backed by France, Germany, Italy and Spain, has slipped from a 2025 service target to a 2027 first flight and has long faced criticism as heavy and expensive.
The row adds to a broader Airbus-Dassault rupture after the collapse this week of their FCAS fighter effort, deepening strains in Europe's push for joint defence projects.