Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on November 17, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 21, 2026
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Germany and France consider scaling back their joint fighter jet project, focusing on a command and control system instead. Talks on the FCAS project to resume soon.
(Reuters) -Germany and France are discussing downsizing their 100 billion euro ($115.99 billion) flagship air defence project by dropping plans to jointly build a fighter jet and focusing on a command and control system, the Financial Times reported on Monday.
The FT, which said the partners could focus on developing the “combat cloud” control system, cited officials in both countries.
People familiar with the matter told Reuters last week that France, Germany and third partner Spain were set to resume high-level talks on the next phase of the project, known as FCAS, or its French acronym SCAF, after delays caused by the recent political crisis in France.
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius is due to meet his French counterpart, Catherine Vautrin, in Paris on Monday, two of the sources said at the time.
Berlin has previously blamed French industry for blocking the programme's next phase by demanding sole leadership of the project, in a coded reference to Dassault Aviation <AM.PA>.
The German defence ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Reuters could not immediately verify the FT report.
($1 = 0.8621 euros)
(Reporting by Disha Mishra in Bengaluru; Ludwig Burger in Frankfurt; Editing by Himani Sarkar and Friederike Heine)
A fighter jet is a military aircraft designed primarily for air-to-air combat against other aircraft. They are equipped with advanced technology and weaponry to engage in aerial warfare.
A command and control system is a system used to direct military forces and manage operations. It integrates various technologies to provide situational awareness and facilitate decision-making.
The Euro is the official currency of the Eurozone, used by 19 of the 27 European Union countries. It facilitates easier trade and economic stability among member nations.
High-level talks refer to discussions or negotiations conducted by senior officials or leaders, often addressing critical issues that require significant authority and decision-making power.
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