A dispute over leadership is delaying the next phase of the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), Europe’s largest defense project, with Germany accusing French industry of demanding sole control of the fighter jet’s development.
In a letter to the Bundestag’s budget committee seen by Reuters, Germany’s defense ministry warned that yielding leadership to France would weaken German industry’s role and compromise the system’s technical capabilities.
The letter outlines Berlin’s concern that French firms would dominate technology development and allocation if current demands are met.
The dispute centers on Dassault Aviation, the lead French contractor, which is reportedly pushing for 80 percent of the workshare on the jet component. Germany’s Airbus and Spain’s Indra are also key partners, but negotiations remain stalled as Dassault resists joint leadership.
Germany must now decide whether to continue with FCAS under current terms or reconsider its participation, according to Reuters.
At stake is the 100 billion euro FCAS program, intended to replace existing European fighters by 2040 with a system that integrates new aircraft, drones, and a defense cloud. Dassault has signaled willingness to pursue development independently if leadership terms are not met.
Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about the Future Combat Air System #FCAS and more: At #ParisAirShow, Bruno Fichefeux, Head of FCAS, explains what the “system of systems” is, what elements it consists of, & what it means for future European air power. 📹 Watch the video to… pic.twitter.com/E7YAradfiQ
— Airbus Defence (@AirbusDefence) June 22, 2023
Dassault CEO Éric Trappier, speaking before the French parliament’s defense committee in July, warned that reducing national control over military assets would risk France’s strategic autonomy. “Once we have taken this step, we cannot go back,” he said.
Airbus, which builds the Eurofighter in Germany, insists on an equal role. “This is something that Germany does very well and wants to keep,” said Emil Archambault of the German Council on Foreign Relations to DW.
German parliamentary defense committee member Christoph Schmid warned of mounting delays in comments to Reuters. “If we don’t get a decision at Toulon to enter phase 2, everything becomes more and more difficult,” Schmid said Wednesday. “The longer a decision is delayed, the more unrealistic an implementation of FCAS becomes.”
Schmid cited the Eurofighter as a successful joint program involving Germany, Britain and Italy without French participation. “It would not be a catastrophe for Germany and France to part ways now if this is in the national or European interest,” he told Reuters.
Analysts suggest a redistribution of responsibilities could offer a path forward, with France taking more aircraft work while Germany and Spain receive expanded roles in other system elements. But the complexity of subcontracting arrangements across multiple nations poses significant challenges.
The FCAS project has suffered from repeated delays and disputes over workshare and intellectual property rights between France and Germany since its inception. Alternative options for Germany include enhanced Eurofighter development, participation in the British-Italian-Japanese GCAP stealth fighter program, or cooperation with partners such as Sweden.
