Key facts
- Germany's new aviation strategy aims to integrate civil flight, military aerospace, innovation, and national security.
- The collapse of the Franco-German-Spanish fighter jet project has created an opening for Germany to pursue its own aerospace ambitions.
- Germany's defense spending is projected to significantly increase, reaching approximately 3.5% of GDP by 2029.
- German industry, led by Airbus Defence and Space, is positioning itself to take a central role in developing next-generation combat aircraft.
- Despite the ambition, Germany will require international partners, an export strategy, and sustained political commitment.
Germany is signaling a new era of confidence in its aerospace and defense capabilities following the dissolution of the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) fighter jet project with France and Spain. Chancellor Friedrich Merz, speaking at the ILA Berlin air show, outlined a comprehensive aviation strategy designed to bolster civil aviation, military aerospace, innovation, and national security.
The collapse of the FCAS program, attributed to irreconcilable differences between France's Dassault Aviation and Germany's Airbus Defence and Space, has been reframed by Germany as an opportunity to assert leadership. Unlike Spain, which has limited defense spending, and France, which faces fiscal constraints, Germany possesses the technological prowess and financial capacity to undertake ambitious defense projects.
Germany's defense spending has steadily increased, surpassing France's in 2019 and projected to reach approximately €153 billion annually by 2029, aligning with NATO targets. This expansion contrasts with France's more constrained budget, which may necessitate difficult social spending cuts. While France has technological expertise, particularly with Dassault's Rafale jets, financing a new sixth-generation fighter alone presents a significant challenge.
German industry, organized as 'Team Gen 6' and led by Airbus Defence and Space, has submitted a position paper to the government proposing a new sixth-generation fighter jet. Michael Schoellhorn, head of Airbus Defence and Space, emphasized that German industry has the expertise and determination to lead such a project, advocating for a European approach with a central German role.
However, developing a cutting-edge stealth fighter and its associated systems requires more than just funding. Germany will need to secure international partners, develop a robust export strategy, and ensure military requirements remain politically stable. The tone at the air show, however, was one of determination, with German air force chief Lt. Gen. Holger Neumann stressing the immediate need for new capabilities.