FCAS fighter jet program ends, Germany eyes F‑35 boost and own sixth‑gen jet

The joint Franco‑German Future Combat Air System (FCAS) project has been abandoned after years of disputes over requirements and technology ownership. France wanted a carrier‑capable, nuclear‑delivery aircraft, while Germany pressed for a cheaper, land‑based fighter, leading to political and economic deadlock between Airbus and Dassault. German officials, including Chancellor Friedrich Merz, are now considering alternatives such as expanding the existing F‑35 fleet, extending the Eurofighter Typhoon’s service life, and potentially launching a national sixth‑generation fighter program led by an Airbus‑driven consortium. A new German air‑strategy is expected to be presented at the International Aerospace Exhibition (ILA) in Berlin. The collapse is seen as a setback for Europe’s ambition of strategic autonomy and raises questions about the feasibility of future joint defense projects.