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Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
BERLIN – German Chancellor Friedrich Merz acknowledged trouble with France over the joint next-generation fighter jet project on Wednesday, but expressed confidence that the aircraft remains needed and will get back on track.
Conflicts over the joint Future Combat Air System (FCAS) fighter flared up again this week after France reportedly demanded a greater share of the work in the project, raising concerns among German firms working on the programme.
The next-generation fighter jet has been under development for a number of years but has been beset by tensions between key contractors, particularly the lead French and German aerospace firms on the project, Dassault and Airbus. Spain is also involved in the programme, with aerospace firm Indra leading its efforts.
Merz voiced his support for the overall programme, but said Germany is not interested in revising the deal on the fighter: "I absolutely want us to stick to the agreement we made with Spain and France with regard to FCAS."
The chancellor dodged specifics but acknowledged that "differences of opinion on the composition of the consortium" involved in the FCAS programme "have not yet been resolved".
He said there are ongoing "discussions" with France – including directly with French President Emmanuel Macron – over FCAS, and that he intends to "finally resolve this issue in the coming months".
Merz, who was speaking alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Berlin, indicated that he remains largely committed to the project and said he was "confident" that all sides would succeed in reaching a deal over the fighter project, which is supposed to enter service around 2040.
"This could be a good project for European defence," the German chancellor said, adding that Europe currently lacks a viable replacement for some of its combat aircraft.
"If we can manage that, then this is a project that is still worth the political commitment," he said. "I am, in any case, confident that we will succeed, but we have not yet reached a result that definitively satisfies me."
(aw)
