France, Germany unable to continue fighter jet project, Elysee confirms - Reuters
France, Germany unable to continue fighter jet project, Elysee confirms Reuters
Coverage by Political Leaning
See how different sides of the spectrum reported this story
Notable Quotes
"From my perspective, the programme was doomed from the outset."
— Ralph Thiele , Academic
"The United States developed the the F-35 drone wingman programme in just one year. We have lost nine years."
— Ralph Thiele , Academic
"Merz habe Macron daher nahegelegt, den Bau des Kampfflugzeugs nicht weiterzuverfolgen."
— Friedrich Merz , Politician
"The core of FCAS will remain as a European system."
— Friedrich Merz , Politician
"The good news is: this money is not lost."
— Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann , Politician
Key People
Emmanuel Macron is the President of France.
Éric Trappier is the Chief Executive of Dassault Aviation.
German Chancellor.
Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann is the chair of the European Parliament’s security and defence committee.
Merz is the Chancellor of Germany.
Ralph Thiele is a retired Bundeswehr colonel and chairman of the Political-Military Society.
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<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiyAFBVV95cUxPX2IxUDVQaU9CQ0JoOS1PaE5hbHRtY1pTRUNCV0ZFLWJ3OTVpSXBpY0FyTnFHbGdVUHpfdzF3bkVaM3RzR1N0cm9ndU10QWlaMF9QQnRTYThMLVVSWlY3TktPOHhNT1JORl9FMlhMRk1NQUJkdVg2YkZkX0dtV2tiaFhqTXlmelNXd3RYUHNfZzJEZ0F6dWxoU1hIRGxROFZHNTQyTnR0bWJQaTlneEt4dVJmTEJfM2hSTVVCdHMzSVpKb3ZkaDN3RA?oc=5" target="_blank">France, Germany unable to continue fighter jet project, Elysee confirms</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>
Germany and France have decided to end work on the joint fighter aircraft element of the Future Combat Air System programme, a German government official confirmed. The decision follows years of political and industrial disagreement over the project.
Germany and France will halt their joint European fighter jet (FCAS) project, press reports said Monday. According to the business daily Handelsblatt, Chancellor Friedrich Merz told French President Emmanuel Macron that the construction of a joint aircraft “will not proceed.” This finally puts an end to the years-long stalemate surrounding the multi-billion-euro project.
France and Germany were unable to continue their fighter jet project, as German authorities decided it was not possible for the companies involved to continue, the Elysee said on Monday.
Nach jahrelangen Vorbereitungen ist das milliardenschwere Rüstungsprojekt eines deutsch-französischen Kampfjets gescheitert. Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz und der französische Präsident Emmanuel Macron seien zu der Einschätzung gekommen, dass die Unternehmen Dassault und Airbus beim Bau eines gemeinsamen Kampfflugzeuges nicht zusammenfänden, hieß es aus Regierungskreisen in Berlin.
Germany and France have agreed to terminate the joint Future Combat Air System (FCAS) fighter jet program, marking a major setback for one of Europe’s most ambitious defense projects, AFP reported.
The fighter jet project between France and Germany has stalled as German authorities determined it was no longer feasible for the involved companies to proceed. Leaders Emmanuel Macron and Friedrich Merz discussed the stalemate but couldn't reach a resolution, citing pressures on the arms firms involved.
At the opening of ILA Berlin 2026, Germany and France announced that they will no longer pursue the development of a joint next-generation combat aircraft under the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) programme.
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