Dassault: France opposes two-jet solution for FCAS fighter jet project

Building two separate fighter jets to address the problems surrounding the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) is not an option for France, according to Dassault Aviation CEO Éric Trappier.

The €100 billion project, based on a next-generation fighter jet, is on the brink of failure due to a long-lasting conflict between Germany and France. Recently, the Germans floated the idea of separating the fighter jet from the overall combat system, allowing both countries to develop their own jets.

Trappier is not convinced, however.

“France does not support the idea of having two aircraft,” he told reporters following a presentation of his company’s 2025 annual results.

The conflict is taking place between the two aviation giants in charge of the project’s development, Dassault and Germany’s Airbus Defence and Space. However, the German and French governments also appear unable to agree on the project’s direction.

Both company heads have previously said that their counterpart is free to exit the project.

Trappier is now accusing Airbus Defence of not wanting to work with his company, saying that the German partner’s intransigence could mean “the project is dead.”

Brought to life in 2017 between France and Germany, the project, now including Spain, is based on a next-generation stealth fighter jet, accompanied by autonomous drones and a digital combat cloud.

Berlin and Paris are now also debating which requirements the jet should fulfill. France’s nuclear deterrence and its need to operate from an aircraft carrier require different specifications than Germany would prefer, for example.

After Germany exempted its national debt brake for defence spending, freeing up around €500 billion, France struggled to get its tight national budget approved, casting doubt on its ability to finance the development of a new fighter jet on its own.

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