19.02.2026 08:10
Leadership and authority disputes in the 100 billion euro FCAS fighter jet project between France and Germany have put Europe's largest defense cooperation program at risk of collapse.
One of the most ambitious projects of the European defense industry, the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), is at risk of collapse due to deepening disagreements between France and Germany. This €100 billion project is becoming increasingly controversial after being described as the "project of the century" for Europe's goal of jointly developing future combat aircraft and associated systems.
DEEP CONFLICT IN THE PROJECT
Long-standing disagreements between the French aerospace company Dassault Aviation and Germany-based Airbus Defence and Space have jeopardized the future of the project. Dassault's CEO stated, "I believe we can work independently," presenting his own leadership vision. The German side criticized this due to a different approach to control and task distribution. This standoff complicates the advancement of the joint project.
POLITICAL TENSION BETWEEN PARIS AND BERLIN
The political debate between French President Emmanuel Macron and German leaders further complicated the situation. Macron stated that "if the commitment to the joint project is not maintained, other defense cooperation programs could also be reassessed," questioning Germany's approach to the project. This warning could put other joint defense initiatives, such as the MGCS tank program, at risk. The German side, however, wants to focus on longer-range systems due to different needs and priorities, which does not align with Dassault's design approach. Another possibility being discussed is that these two countries may independently turn to the GCAP program being conducted by the UK and Japan.
UNCERTAIN FUTURE IN EUROPEAN DEFENSE INDUSTRY
FCAS was a massive program planned to encompass technologies such as sixth-generation fighter jets, "loyal wingman" drones, and highly connected combat network architecture. However, the sustainability of the project is being questioned due to deep disagreements between the parties and a lack of clarity regarding the joint leadership model. This critical moment for the European defense industry creates a new turning point in terms of internal unity and strategy formulation. Analysts indicate that if the project completely collapses, Europe's capacity to cope with external competition in military technology may weaken.