Frankfurt (Germany), 8 June (LaPresse) – ‘President Macron and the Federal Chancellor have reached the shared conclusion that the companies involved have failed to reach an agreement on the construction of a joint fighter aircraft.’ LaPresse has learnt this from German government sources, who confirm the suspension of the Franco-German FCAS (Future Combat Air System) project for the development of a sixth-generation fighter aircraft. ‘Chancellor Merz therefore suggested to President Macron that they should not proceed with the construction of a joint fighter aircraft,’ the same sources explain, noting, however, that the ‘true core’ of the FCAS programme will continue as a European project. This refers to the so-called integrated system that links aircraft, drones and other military assets into a single operational network. “This represents, in a way, the nervous system that networks aircraft, drones and other components into an integrated whole,” emphasise the German government sources. According to Berlin, the issue will be addressed at the Franco-German Ministerial Council scheduled to take place in Germany in June, when the defence ministries of the two countries are due to present “a joint, up-to-date work plan on cooperation in the defence industry, focused on a few realistic and relevant projects”.
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