France and Germany scrap joint next-generation fighter jet program

On June 9, 2026, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz officially terminated the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) program. Launched in 2017 by Macron and then-Chancellor Angela Merkel, the initiative was estimated to cost over 100 billion euros and aimed to bolster European strategic autonomy. The program faced years of deadlock due to conflicts between industrial partners, specifically France's Dassault Aviation and Airbus, which represented German and Spanish interests. Disagreements centered on leadership, technology transfer, and control over production contracts, with German officials accusing France of seeking to maintain total control while relegating other partners to secondary roles. Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles expressed concern over the decision, labeling it a setback for European defense, while Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever criticized the move as an act of arrogance. Following the collapse, a German industrial consortium led by Airbus has announced intentions to develop a less complex sixth-generation fighter project. Reports indicate that despite the cancellation of the core fighter, the 'combat cloud' technology and related systems may continue under the FCAS name for symbolic purposes.