Key facts
- France and Germany have decided to terminate the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) fighter jet program.
- Deep industrial disagreements between Dassault Aviation and Airbus Defence and Space led to the project's collapse.
- The decision is seen as a significant setback for French President Emmanuel Macron's goal of closer European defense cooperation.
- The program aimed to replace French Rafale and German Eurofighter jets around 2040.
- Cooperation on drones and the combat cloud system within FCAS may continue.
France and Germany have officially abandoned their joint next-generation fighter jet program, known as the Future Combat Air System (FCAS). The decision, announced by German officials and acknowledged by the French presidency, stems from deep industrial disagreements between French manufacturer Dassault Aviation and German firm Airbus Defence and Space over leadership and project management. This collapse represents a significant blow to French President Emmanuel Macron's ambition to foster greater European defense integration.