Dassault–Airbus Rift Threatens Future of Europe’s Next-Generation Fighter Jet

European Defence Industry Dassault–Airbus Rift Threatens Future of Europe’s Next-Generation Fighter Jet

2025-09-24 Source: dpa 1 min Reading Time

The Future Combat Air System (FCAS) – Europe’s flagship defence programme designed to deliver a sixth-generation fighter jet – faces new uncertainty as Dassault Aviation’s CEO warns the project could collapse amid unresolved disputes with Airbus over leadership and responsibilities.

Concept model of the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) on display at Paris Air Show 2023. The joint programme by France, Germany, and Spain faces growing uncertainty after Dassault threatened to proceed alone.(Source: Bundeswehr/Jane Schmidt) — Concept model of the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) on display at Paris Air Show 2023. The joint programme by France, Germany, and Spain faces growing uncertainty after Dassault threatened to proceed alone.
(Source: Bundeswehr/Jane Schmidt)

The €100 billion FCAS programme, launched by France, Germany, and Spain to develop a next-generation fighter jet with manned and unmanned capabilities, is at a critical juncture. During the opening of a new factory in Cergy near Paris on 23 September, Dassault CEO Éric Trappier openly questioned the future of the joint effort, stating that his company could develop the aircraft independently if negotiations with Airbus fail.

“We know how to do this,” Trappier said, emphasising Dassault’s experience with fighter aircraft like the Rafale. “If they want to go alone, they can. But we are capable of building a sixth-generation fighter ourselves.”

The comments highlight growing tensions between Dassault, representing France, and Airbus, speaking for Germany and Spain. Disagreements centre on governance, intellectual property, and system integration responsibilities within the programme’s core pillar – the manned fighter jet platform.

Trappier insists Dassault must retain overall design authority: “We are open to cooperation, also with Germany, but the ‘best athlete’ must lead the programme. We cannot accept technical decisions being made in a three-way committee.”

Meanwhile, media reports suggest Germany is exploring alternative options with the UK and Sweden, both involved in the competing Tempest fighter programme, though Berlin has officially denied such talks.

Despite the escalating rhetoric, Airbus maintains it remains committed to FCAS and to all agreements signed so far. Germany’s Defence Minister Boris Pistorius recently confirmed that discussions with Dassault continue, but no breakthrough has been reached.

The dispute comes as Europe faces mounting pressure to modernise its air combat capabilities in response to geopolitical tensions and technological advances by the US, China, and Russia. A failure of FCAS could fracture Europe’s ambitions for defence sovereignty and industrial integration.

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