Germany and France drop joint fighter jet project

Germany and France have jointly decided to scrap a highly ambitious joint fighter jet project, a move announced by the French presidential office on Monday. The cancellation stems from German authorities' assessment that the involved companies could no longer proceed with the development program due to persistent disagreements.

The €100 billion project, launched in 2017 by then-Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Emmanuel Macron, aimed to develop a next-generation combat aircraft to replace both France's Rafale jets and the Eurofighters operated by Germany and Spain, with an intended service entry around 2040. However, significant disputes between the key industrial partners, French firm Dassault Aviation and the European aerospace consortium Airbus, representing German and Spanish interests, have plagued the program for an extended period.

“

German authorities assessed that it was not possible for the involved companies to continue with the project.

According to reports, the disagreements primarily revolved around leadership and the overall management structure of the development program. The French presidential office stated that German authorities concluded it was impossible to exert further pressure on the companies involved. "French authorities will continue to encourage our companies and armed forces to explore ways and means to pursue ambitious European projects that align with our national security interests," the statement added.

Le Monde described the decision as a "setback" for European nations' endeavors toward closer defense collaboration. The cancellation also weakens the countries' attempts to project a unified stance on security issues, particularly in the face of geopolitical challenges involving Russia and strained relations with the United States.

“

French authorities will continue to encourage our companies and armed forces to explore ways and means to pursue ambitious European projects that align with our national security interests.