Germany and France drop joint fighter jet project
The leaders of Germany and France have agreed to scrap a landmark project to develop and build a new-generation fighter jet, officials said Monday.
TL;DR
- Germany and France have agreed to scrap their joint fighter jet development project.
- The decision was made due to industrial rivalries and an inability to break deadlock between arms firms Airbus and Dassault Aviation.
- The €100 billion project, also involving Spain, aimed to develop a new-generation fighter jet supported by drones and a 'combat cloud'.
- Leaders attempted to salvage the program but failed to reach agreements on specifications and control.
- The termination underscores Europe's challenges in rebuilding military capacity.
- A potential face-saving solution may involve continuing development of systems outside the core fighter jet under the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) name.
- Germany's union IG Metall welcomed the decision, citing difficulties in equal cooperation between Dassault and Airbus.