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2mo ago

FCAS Crisis Deepens as Dassault Questions Project and Demands Fighter Lead

Three governments target a political fix before year’s end.

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Emmanuel Macron (3.v.r), französischer Präsident, Margarita Robles (2.v.r), Verteidigungsministerin von Spanien, Florence Parly (r), Verteidigungsministerin von Frankreich, und Ursula von der Leyen (3.v.l), Verteidigungsministerin von Deutschland, Eric Trappier (2.v.l), CEO von Dassault Aviation, und Dirk Hoke (l), CEO von Airbus Defence and Space, sehen der Enthüllung eines Modells des zukünftigen europäischen Kampfjets im Rahmen der 53. Internationalen Pariser Luftfahrtausstellung auf dem Flughafen Le Bourget zu
Modelle des deutsch-französisch-spanischen Future Combat Air System (FCAS)

Overview

  • Dassault CEO Éric Trappier said he does not know whether FCAS will proceed and linked any success to Germany reconsidering dependence on U.S. defense imports.
  • Trappier demanded clear Dassault leadership on the manned fighter, while Airbus accused the company of trying to upend existing leadership arrangements.
  • IG Metall and Airbus Defence works council leaders told German ministers they view Dassault as disqualified as a reliable partner.
  • Germany, France and Spain set a year-end deadline for a political decision, with Friedrich Merz and Emmanuel Macron expected to discuss the project this week after their defense ministers failed to resolve differences.
  • Industry proposed a “two fighters – one programme” compromise, which Trappier said has not been discussed with him, as reports highlight a delayed demonstrator phase, a slip beyond 2040, and development cost estimates around €100 billion.