Hopes to finally hear final decision regarding France, Germany and Spain joint program for creating FCAS sixth-generation fighter were not justified. Although this topic did become discussion subject between French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz during EU leaders summit in Cyprus.
However, ultimately, as Bloomberg writes, Macron officially stated project is not closed and is progressing. Result of good discussion became decision to ask defense ministers to work on project.
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Defense Express notes that thus progress in making FCAS project decision rolled back to late 2025. When such meeting between countries’ defense department heads was already planned, which ultimately led only to transferring final decision-making to country leaders. Who in turn kicked it back.
Because ultimately divergences in sixth-generation fighter program under FCAS project became cardinal. France needs light fighter that can have carrier version as well as full sovereignty through capability to carry own nuclear weapons. Germany needs heavy aircraft into which American nuclear bombs must be integrated, implying opening access to onboard systems.
In parallel, France no longer wants to share project equally, demanding controlling stake, meaning larger work and profit share together with real management right. This is precisely why Dassault and Airbus mutually indicated where each should go. Threats spread to joint fighter engine project and new-generation German-French tank creation program.
However, such situation is already starting to annoy third project participant often forgotten amid French-German dispute — Spain. Country Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed his dissatisfaction with this project delays and advocated for its unblocking.
At the same time, Madrid is objectively more interested specifically in French aircraft version. Spanish Navy has plans for three aircraft carriers immediately, one of which should be fully capable with catapults. At the same time, Spain’s own scientific-production contribution, represented by Indra, is assessed as less than legally defined third.
Despite any possible patience loss, hardly can Madrid count on receiving such same conditions, for example, in parallel Tempest fighter creation project by Britain, Italy and Japan. Especially considering Poland and even Canada already want to join it. For Ottawa this will be most powerful U.S. betrayal since 1946.
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