Germany, France, Spain and the future sixth-generation fighter FCAS once again find themselves at the center of uncertainty following a new postponement in decision-making on the European program. The lack of agreement between Berlin and Paris, combined with industrial differences between Dassault Aviation and Airbus, keeps a key project for European defense blocked and leaves Spain, through Indra, waiting for a definition that conditions investments, technological capabilities and strategic planning.
The conversation held this Wednesday, March 18, at night between German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron, on the eve of the European summit, was seen as a decisive instance to steer the program forward. However, according to sources from the German government, no final agreement was reached and both countries decided to postpone the decision until mid-April, while agreeing on “a final attempt at mediation between the industries,” which will be carried out by experts.
The Future Combat Air System (FCAS) was promoted in 2017 by France and Germany as a bet to develop a new-generation air combat system that combines a manned fighter, unmanned systems and a digital combat cloud. Spain later joined the program and participates through Indra, in a framework that not only has an industrial dimension but also political and strategic weight within the search for greater European sovereignty in defense.
The main point of friction continues to be the dispute between Dassault Aviation and Airbus over control and direction of the program, valued at around 100 billion euros. According to available information, Dassault seeks an aircraft more aligned with the requirements of the French Armed Forces and claims sovereignty over central aspects of development, while Airbus promotes a different configuration, closer to German priorities— a difference that has even led to mentions of the possibility of moving forward with separate solutions.
In this context, Dassault CEO Eric Trappier left open the possibility of seeking other partners if the current framework of cooperation does not succeed. “We will find other partners if necessary,” he recently stated, a sign that reflects the level of tension within the program. On the German side, it also emerged that Berlin has held talks with the Swedish company Saab, reinforcing the perception that alternatives are being evaluated if FCAS fails to overcome the current deadlock.
For Spain, the continuity of the program is especially relevant due to the role assigned to Indra as national coordinator and responsible for areas such as the Combat Cloud, the digital architecture that must link manned aircraft, drones and sensors. The Spanish company has invested for years in capabilities related to command and control, radars and electronic warfare, while the program also mobilizes dozens of companies in the sector and projects long-term contracts linked to the development of sixth-generation technologies.
In the absence of progress, the Spanish government activated transitional measures to sustain industrial and technological capabilities while the paralysis of the European program persists. In January it launched the Siagen program, awarded to Indra for about 540 million euros, and previously approved by royal decree a loan of 80 million euros to the association created between Airbus and Indra for the study of the so-called “Future National Air Combat System,” an initiative presented as temporary backing in case FCAS continues to be delayed.
Meanwhile, in Germany, reports have also grown about a possible expansion of the fleet of stealth fighters F-35 Lightning II manufactured by Lockheed Martin, an alternative that could reinforce Berlin’s dependence on U.S. military technology. Sources cited by Reuters indicated that the German government is evaluating the purchase of more than 35 additional aircraft, although an official spokesperson denied it, stating: “There are no plans and there is no decision,” while the Ministry of Defense maintained that there are no “concrete plans or political decisions” for a new acquisition.
Uncertainty surrounding FCAS also coincides with developments in other sixth-generation programs and with the interest of external actors. The Ministry of Defence of India indicated before the Standing Committee on Defence of its Parliament that it is evaluating joining one of the two major European consortia currently underway, FCAS or the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP).
Quoting one of the excerpts of the document referring to the issue: “The Committee has been informed that two consortia are working on sixth-generation aircraft. One is a consortium of the United Kingdom, Italy and Japan (Ed.: the GCAP program), and the other is a consortium of France, Spain and Germany (Ed.: the FCAS program), and both are developing aircraft. The Committee has also been informed that the Air Force will try to join forces with one of the consortia and will begin considering a sixth-generation fighter immediately in order to ensure that it does not fall behind in achieving the goal of advanced aircraft.”
On the other hand, Italy, a GCAP partner alongside the United Kingdom and Japan, stated that Germany “could probably join this project in the future,” according to Defence Minister Guido Crosetto. With this outlook, the Franco-German delay not only affects the FCAS roadmap but also opens space for industrial and strategic realignments in the race for the future sixth-generation fighter.
*Images for illustrative purposes.
*Translated by Constanza Matteo
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