Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on December 9, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 20, 2026
Germany and France may use their own jets to salvage a €100 billion defence project, focusing on a shared combat system and network capabilities.
By Markus Wacket
BERLIN, Dec 9 (Reuters) - A senior German lawmaker on Tuesday urged Germany and France to salvage a 100 billion euro ($116 billion) defence project by developing a shared combat system while allowing each country to use its own fighter jets.
Time is ticking for Berlin and Paris to agree a way forward on the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), an ambitious next-generation fighter jet programme launched eight years ago but stalled by disputes.
Failure to break the deadlock risks exposing Europe's inability to forge defence unity at a time when war has returned to the continent and the U.S. under President Donald Trump wants Europe to take more responsibility for its own security.
Defence ministers of Germany, France and Spain are expected to meet this week, followed by talks between German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron next week.
Siemtje Moeller, a senior lawmaker in Merz's coalition and a former junior defence minister, told Reuters the project was in a phase of "adaptation" not "termination".
It was logical for Germany and France to use different fighter jets to suit their particular needs, she said, for example, France needs fighters to have the ability to carry nuclear weapons or land on an aircraft carrier.
"A realistic approach would be to develop a common platform and then further develop it to meet each country's specific needs," she said, with the core of the project being the network capabilities, the so-called "Combat Cloud".
"We can continue to cooperate closely on this, on unmanned systems, and on electronic warfare capabilities," she said.
FCAS has been mired in disagreements between France's Dassault Aviation and Airbus over workshare and prized technology.
"Different requirements are not a death knell for Franco-German cooperation - and certainly not a rejection of European defence projects," Moeller added.
($1 = 0.8587 euros)
(Writing by Matthias WilliamsEditing by Ros Russell)
The Future Combat Air System (FCAS) is an ambitious next-generation fighter jet program initiated by Germany and France, aimed at developing a shared combat system to enhance European defense capabilities.
A combat system refers to a combination of weapons, equipment, and technology designed to engage in military operations effectively. It includes various platforms like aircraft, naval vessels, and ground forces.
Fighter jets are military aircraft designed primarily for air-to-air combat against other aircraft. They are equipped with advanced technology and weaponry to achieve air superiority.
Defense collaboration involves multiple countries or organizations working together to enhance military capabilities, share technology, and improve security through joint projects and agreements.
European defense unity is crucial for ensuring collective security among member states, enabling them to respond effectively to threats and challenges, and reducing reliance on external powers.
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