Airbus Pushes Own Fighter Jet Development After €100 bn FCAS Cancellation

Airbus Defence and Space says it has the capability and funding to develop an independent fighter jet for the German Air Force, urging a swift political decision. The company’s works council chair, Thomas Pretzl, warned that each day without a decision delays development and risks falling behind rival nations. While Airbus emphasizes the need for European partners, other political voices stress collaboration with EU allies.

The termination of the Franco‑German Future Combat Air System (FCAS) project, valued at around €100 billion, reshapes the European defence market. Companies such as MTU Aero Engines, Dassault, Saab, BAE Systems, Hensoldt and Rheinmetall are now reassessing alliances, with attention shifting to F‑35 procurements, combat‑cloud initiatives and the prospective “Team Gen 6” programme.