FCAS at Risk as France Seeks 80% Share in 6th Generation Fighter Project

Éric Trappier, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of French aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation, stated that his company is capable of developing the next-generation fighter jet independently, without involving external partners.

The Hartpunkt media reported on this.

Trappier expressed dissatisfaction with the division of tasks in the joint French-German-Spanish Future Combat Air System (FCAS) project, particularly within the subproject for developing the new-generation fighter jet.

During the Paris Air Show, he called for clear management of this component of the program and even suggested that Dassault might withdraw from FCAS if the situation does not change.

According to reports, due to internal disagreements within the consortium, tenders for the next, second phase of the project—which involves creating the first prototypes for flight testing—have not yet been finalized.

According to the media, the French government supports Dassault’s position. Specifically, the German Ministry of Defense has been informed that France is seeking an 80% share in the production of the next-generation combat aircraft.

If this demand is met, it would radically alter the previously agreed distribution of responsibilities and roles among the participating countries and industrial partners.

In that case, the principle of equal partnership, on which the FCAS project was initially based, would effectively be undermined.

Earlier in April, reports emerged of deteriorating cooperation between Dassault Aviation and Airbus within the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) program due to serious disagreements between the parties.

In this project, Airbus is represented by joint teams from Germany and Spain. As early as December 2022, these teams signed an agreement with Dassault to implement the first phase of the project, which involves creating a demonstration platform and conducting ground testing, followed by phase 2—the construction of a prototype combat aircraft. The contract is valued at €3.2 billion.

Currently, Dassault serves as the prime contractor for developing the next-generation fighter aircraft (Next Generation Fighter, NGF).

However, according to Éric Trappier, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of French aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation, Dassault holds only one-third of the voting power within the program, while Airbus controls two-thirds. This imbalance has continuously sparked conflicts over the allocation of tasks between the partners.

In addition to Dassault’s leadership, criticism of FCAS has also come from the French government. Official Paris has expressed dissatisfaction with partners delaying the aircraft’s development, despite initial expectations of jointly delivering the project within the agreed-upon timeframe.