Germany and France disagree on the timeline for a decision regarding the FCAS fighter jet
The defense ministers of Germany and France have cited different timelines for reaching a decision on the joint FCAS fighter jet project.
This was reported by Reuters.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius stated that a decision could be made in the near future and expects it by the end of the week.
In contrast, French Defense Minister Catherine Vautrin reported that mediators have requested an additional 10 days to complete consultations.
According to her, the parties have not yet agreed on key issues, particularly regarding intellectual property, division of labor, and certification.
There are also differences between the countries regarding requirements for the future aircraft: France wants a fighter capable of carrying nuclear weapons and operating from aircraft carriers, while Germany has already chosen the American F-35 for these tasks.
Following the approval of a compromise version of the U.S. National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2026, the F/A-XX sixth-generation fighter program for the U.S. Navy has been left with meager funding of $74 million.
The American company Shield AI has officially unveiled a prototype of the X-Bat jet drone—the world’s first autonomous fighter capable of vertical takeoff and landing.
