Spanish defence firms unite to back next‑generation European fighter programme

Six major Spanish defence companies – Airbus Defence and Space, GMV, Grupo Oesía, Indra, ITP Aero and Sener – signed a joint declaration reaffirming their commitment to the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), also known as the Next‑Generation Weapon System (NGWS). The firms said they are in an "optimal position" to develop, integrate, test, produce and sustain a sixth‑generation combat aircraft aimed for entry into service around 2040. The statement stresses the need for decisive action to avoid prolonged paralysis of the trinational programme involving Germany, France and Spain, and highlights the industry’s capacity to work with European partners and innovative startups to ensure sovereign, efficient development of the system.

The alliance also expressed concern that delays could jeopardise the programme’s technical knowledge, resources and supply‑chain stability, urging national authorities to make a definitive decision on the programme’s continuity and evolution.