The Future Combat Air System (FCAS), Europe’s most ambitious defense program designed to deliver a sixth-generation fighter and supporting technologies by 2040, is now facing turbulence. What was once hailed as a symbol of Franco-German cooperation is increasingly showing signs of strain, with Berlin questioning Paris’ dominant role.
According to Politico, discussions between Germany’s Ministry of Defense and Airbus, its lead industrial partner in the FCAS project, have revealed growing frustrations. Reports claim that Germany is unhappy with France’s insistence on a disproportionate share of the program. Some sources suggest that France wants as much as 80 percent of the NGF workshare, a claim French officials deny.
The issue has reached Germany’s parliament, where Social Democratic lawmaker Andreas Schwarz bluntly stated: “At some point parliament will have to say: ‘Either we need this aircraft, or we don’t.’”
Germany is now exploring alternatives, including continuing FCAS without France, potentially partnering with Spain and Belgium. Both countries already collaborate with Germany on Eurofighter Typhoon production, but neither has significant recent experience in independently developing a crewed fighter.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, speaking alongside Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, admitted: “We share the assessment that the current situation is unsatisfactory. We are not advancing with this project. We are both speaking with the French government, and we want a solution as soon as possible.”
Other options on the table include joining forces with the United Kingdom and Sweden, though both are pursuing their own initiatives also labeled “FCAS.” Britain’s Tempest fighter, part of the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP) with Italy and Japan, is the most advanced of these rival efforts. Were Germany to pivot in that direction, it would align itself with an already established international partnership.
Interestingly, Germany’s former air force chief, Lt. Gen. Ingo Gerhartz, once suggested that Europe’s parallel fighter programs could eventually converge: “It can be that we go on different tracks. Hopefully, we will merge eventually.”
Meanwhile, Sweden’s defense industry, led by Saab, has been focusing on drone concepts for its own FCAS vision. Airbus, on Germany’s side, has also unveiled its Wingman drone concept, intended as a cost-effective loyal wingman solution, with a projected unit cost just one-third that of a manned fighter.
Time, however, is pressing. Germany plans to replace its Eurofighters around 2040, the same deadline set for the FCAS rollout. For the short term, Berlin is banking on its order of 35 F-35As, with reports suggesting possible interest in another 15 as a stopgap.
The political backdrop adds to the uncertainty. France is pushing for greater speed and autonomy in decision-making, a stance that risks alienating its partners. The project’s already tight timeline, coupled with tensions within NATO and the ongoing Russian threat, makes delays especially problematic.
Europe has seen this scenario before: France withdrew from the original Eurofighter program decades ago to pursue the Dassault Rafale independently. Now, with FCAS again at a crossroads, history could be repeating itself.