After over a year disputes in almost 9-year sixth-generation fighter development under FCAS project, they finally decided to put period. Thus in Europe 40-year-old Eurofighter Typhoon and Rafale history repeats, but not everything is as similar as it appears.
French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz reached conclusion regarding advisability of abandoning joint aircraft, Tagesspiegel writes. At the same time, German side proposes continuing cooperation in weapons integration, sensors and combat cloud directions.
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However, as Challenges writes, such decision caught main participant companies, Airbus and Dassault Aviation — by surprise, as they were not warned in advance. Also French side expressed dissatisfaction with unilateral statement from Germany.
One way or another, most sources agree on one thing, FCAS is dead and nobody will mourn it, with participants having to start over and seek alternatives. Germany is already considering not only joining GCAP but also partnership with Sweden.
Defense Express notes history of Eurofighter Typhoon partially repeats, when in 1985 France left joint project due to requirement divergences with partners and desire to hold leadership position in development. However, today circumstances are somewhat different than they were at Cold War end.
If over 40 years work continued, simply without French, this time Germany and Spain find themselves on their own with necessity of seeking alternatives. The latter finds itself in particularly difficult position, as it needs carrier-based aircraft after abandoning F-35B.
France despite having technical and management competence for independently creating fighters does not have sufficient funds to finance project. However, India can help here, as it wants to join sixth-generation development.
Recall participants actively attempted to save FCAS from collapse caused by industry disputes, specifically between Airbus and Dassault Aviation, which grew into country-level tension. Even recently in spring 2026 last compromise attempts were made but failed.
Currently besides Americans, one active alternative program remains, GCAP with Japan, Italy and Britain participation. However, even it currently faces risk due to British financing problems.
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