Archive · 12 Dec 2025
Germany, France, Spain push to resolve fighter jet dispute
Germany, France, and Spain are trying to fix a big disagreement about a new fighter jet project called FCAS.
This project is very important for Europe's defence, especially with the war in Ukraine going on.
The countries are meeting to talk about how to share the work and technology between France's Dassault Aviation and Airbus.
There's also a powerful German union, IG Metall, that's upset and says it won't work with Dassault anymore.
The leaders of Germany and France want to make a decision about the project by the end of the year.
Everyone is hoping to find a solution so the project can move forward.
Germany, France, and Spain are meeting to resolve a deadlock over the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) fighter jet programme.
The project, worth up to €100 billion, has been stalled by disagreements between France's Dassault Aviation and Airbus over manufacturing and technology development.
Germany's IG Metall union has escalated tensions by threatening to stop cooperating if Dassault remains involved, citing a loss of trust.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron are expected to seek a resolution when they meet next week.
A decision on the project's future is expected by year-end, with EU leaders meeting in Brussels on December 17-19.
- Who
- Germany, France, and Spain, along with key officials and companies like Dassault Aviation and Airbus
- What
- A dispute over the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) fighter jet programme
- When
- Meetings scheduled for December 11-12, 2024, with a decision deadline by year-end
- Where
- Berlin, Germany, and Brussels, Belgium
- Why
- To resolve industrial rivalries and salvage the €100 billion defence project
- Programme
- Future Combat Air System (FCAS)
- Estimated Cost
- Up to €100 billion
- Key Countries Involved
- Germany, France, Spain
- Key Companies Involved
- Dassault Aviation, Airbus
- Key Union Involved
- IG Metall
- Key Officials Involved
- Boris Pistorius (Germany), Catherine Vautrin (France), Margarita Robles (Spain), Friedrich Merz (Germany), Emmanuel Macron (France)
- Next EU Leaders Meeting
- December 17-19 in Brussels
- Deadline for Decision
- Year-end
