How did the biggest French-German military project fail?

What was planned for the FCAS project?

The FCAS cut stands for “Future Combat Air System” and aimed at being the largest and most costly European arms project so far, carried out in co-operation between Germany and France. Spain too had to share in the project.

Central point: Developing a new fighter plane, which by the late 2040 would replace “Eurofaster” used by Germany and Spain, as well as French fighter jets “Rafale”.

Also planned was the development of nonpilot combat systems, so fears, as well as the so-called “The Culud” chains a communications system to connect and coordinate fighter aircraft with nonpilot systems.

Why Did the Plan for the Fighter Fail?

The end of the joint project for the fighter plane is not as linked to political disputes as with economic bickering concretely between German partner Airbus and French company Dassalult. In essence, the conflict involved the question of who would have the leading role in the project.

Dassalul claimed this role for himself, though initially agreed to an equal level co-operation. But Dassalul's chief, Éric Trappier, for months repeatedly insisted that Dassalulus alone possessed the essential competence for the project and that, in turn, his company belonged to the role of the main architect.

Germany and France tried to mediate the conflict between companies, and they had even tried with official mediating, but finally without success. According to sources from the federal government, Chancellor Friedrich Merz and President Macron arrived in the joint assessment that Dassalult and Airbus companies could not find common language for the project. Thus, Merz had suggested that Macron stop building a joint warplane. A few hours later came confirmation from the Élysée Palace in Paris: “German authorities agree that it was not possible to exert more pressure on the companies involved. ”

What does this failure mean for Bundeswehri?

Bundeswehr now needs a second plan for the planned replacement of the fighter plane “Eurofaster”. In search of new partners for the construction of a new fighter plane, Great Britain probably goes out. The UK is already engaged in another project, she is co-operating with Japan and Italy under the Global Combat Air Programme programme, GCAP.

An opportunity for a new partner in building a new fighter jet could be Sweden, with its defence industry company Saab. This country has considerable experience in building military aircraft. Like temporary solutions, the Air Force can also buy additional American-type F 35 aircraft, reports Spiegel magazine.

How did German politics react?

In the ranks of the CDU coalition. CSU SPD, the decision to give up the aircraft project is protected as the right step. The chairman of the Bundestag Defence Commission, Thomas Röwekamp, expressed regret over the project's failure. At the same time, he stressed that it is positive that, after years of blockades and uncertainty, there is finally clarity, the CDU politician for Rheinische Post said. New partners should be sought now. We should use this opportunity to build new and stable co-operation at an equal level, strengthening the technological progress and industrial sovereignty of Europe”, Röwekamp said.

Critical of the Fighter's Failure F The CAS comes from the opposition. Green Party Chairman Franziska Brantner described this as a <x0-second serious blow to European security and defence policy in an increasingly dangerous world”.

It also partly held the federal government responsible for the failure of the project. According to her, “when the industry blocks, it is policy duty to show leadership and impose it”, she stressed for Handelsblat. / DW/