Archive · 21 Nov 2025
Germany, France Push for Fighter Jet Agreement by Mid-December
Germany and France are trying to make their big companies agree on a new fighter jet project by mid-December.
This project has been having problems for a long time, and now there are talks about ending or changing it.
The leaders of both countries will decide what to do by the end of the year.
Germany thinks one company is causing trouble, but France says that's not true.
Germany and France are pressuring companies to agree on a joint fighter jet project by mid-December
The project, called Future Combat Air System (FCAS), aims to replace France’s Rafale and German and Spanish Eurofighters with a next-generation fighter by 2040
Options discussed include terminating or scaling down the project due to delays and infighting
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron plan to decide the project's fate by year-end
Berlin blames Dassault for blocking the project's next phase, while France denies demanding an 80% workshare
- Who
- Germany and France, along with their respective companies like Dassault, Airbus, and Indra
- What
- Pressuring companies to agree on a joint fighter jet project
- When
- By mid-December 2023, with a final decision by the end of the year
- Where
- Germany and France
- Why
- To replace older fighter jets with a next-generation one by 2040
Germany's Stance
France's Stance
Leadership of the Project
Germany's Stance
Blames Dassault for blocking the next phase by seeking sole leadership
France's Stance
Denies demanding an 80% workshare
- Project Name
- Future Combat Air System (FCAS)
- Planned Replacement
- France’s Rafale and German/Spanish Eurofighters
- Target Year for New Fighter
- 2040
- Project Initiation Year
- 2017
- Potential Decisions by Year-End
- Proceed with FCAS, terminate, or scale down the project