Latest news with #FutureCombatAirSystem
See - Sada Elbalad
2 days ago
- Business
- See - Sada Elbalad
Germany to Expand F-35 Fleet
Israa Farhan Germany is preparing to bolster its air force with an additional purchase of 15 US-made F-35 fighter jets, bringing the total number of aircraft planned for procurement to 50, according to reports from Politico citing informed sources. This expansion comes at a time of rising tension between Berlin and Paris over the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), a joint Franco-German-Spanish next-generation fighter jet project. Recent reports suggest France is demanding up to 80% of the industrial workshare. This move could undermine the original task distribution agreement and potentially stall the program before it enters its next development phase, as reported by *Reuters*, citing an industry insider. Germany's proposed acquisition aligns with a broader NATO strategy to increase collective defence spending to 5% of GDP over the next decade. This target reflects heightened concerns over Russia's growing military threat and the alliance's goal of enhancing military and civilian resilience across member states. A spokesperson for the German Ministry of Defense declined to comment on potential procurement decisions, stating that no purchase would be confirmed before presentation to parliament. Germany had already placed an order for 35 F-35 jets to replace its ageing fleet of 85 Tornado aircraft, which are scheduled for decommissioning. The new acquisition is expected to support NATO's revised capability benchmarks, which now demand higher numbers of combat-ready troops and advanced weapons systems. A military source indicated that the idea of acquiring 15 more aircraft had been under consideration in earlier defense discussions. However, evolving NATO requirements have prompted a reassessment, with initial figures now deemed insufficient. Although the expanded fleet has not been officially confirmed, additional procurement may be necessary to meet strategic demands. Meanwhile, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz acknowledged ongoing disagreements over FCAS specifications, stating on Wednesday that internal disputes over workload distribution and intellectual property rights have plagued the project since its inception. The delays and diplomatic strain cast further uncertainty over the future of Europe's flagship defense cooperation initiative. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War News "Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence" News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream Arts & Culture Hawass Foundation Launches 1st Course to Teach Ancient Egyptian Language
Euractiv
3 days ago
- Business
- Euractiv
Franco-German fighter jet clash clouds future ahead of Macron-Merz talks
The German aviation industry is turning to Berlin for support amid renewed tensions over the joint European next-generation FCAS fighter jet project, with Paris reportedly seeking a significantly larger share of the work for French contractors. The turmoil has triggered fresh concerns in Germany that French aerospace firms could dominate the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) programme, which is projected to cost over €100 billion. Industry voices are urging German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to firmly oppose any French efforts to take greater control of the defence initiative. Conflict has simmered within the project almost since its launch in 2017, particularly between France and its lead contractor, Dassault Aviation, and aviation giant Airbus, which Berlin tapped to lead the German contribution to the programme. Spain joined later, bringing national defence champion Indra into the fold. Euractiv understands that French and German defence ministers will discuss the FCAS programme when they meet on 24 July, with the issue also expected to feature in talks between German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron that same week. Merz on Wednesday acknowledged disagreements with France over the 'composition of the consortium' behind the programme but described FCAS as a potentially valuable contribution to European defence and voiced confidence in reaching a solution. Industry quarrel Tensions boiled over when Dassault boss Eric Trappier suggested , ahead of June's Paris Air Show, that his company could build the fighter without Airbus. Meanwhile, the French government hinted at abandoning the Eurodrone long-range drone project, which also involves Dassault and Airbus because of development delays. Trappier also warned that delays in the FCAS programme could make the aircraft obsolete before it even enters active service. The fighter jet was originally slated to be operational by 2040, but the project is already running behind schedule. Over the weekend, news outlets reported that France had demanded 80% of the workshare on the FCAS project. France has denied making that specific demand in negotiations before launching the programme's next phase of development. German concerns The German Aerospace Industries Association – which counts Airbus among its members – reacted swiftly to the reported 80% demand, criticising France and calling for political backing from Berlin earlier this week. The lobby group's managing director, Marie-Christine von Hahn, called FCAS 'THE technological lighthouse programme' for the aerospace industry. 'The continued existence of German know-how in this highly significant military, industrial and economic segment must be preserved,' she said in a statement. 'Our companies are firmly opposed to the one-sided French quest for dominance and will work with the French side to return to the already agreed path of cooperation.' At a meeting with workers at a major plant in the Bavarian town of Manching, the leader of the works council at Airbus, Thomas Pretzl, defended FCAS as necessary – but said France is the wrong partner for the effort. "Partnership is based on working together and not against each other. There are more attractive and more suitable partners in Europe." Pretzl also warned that issues around FCAS, combined with questions over the future of current programmes for the production of jets like the Eurofighter, which FCAS is set to replace, hurt Airbus Defence and Space's ability to compete with agile rivals in the US and elsewhere in Europe. Dassault did not respond to Euractiv's requests for comment. Airbus Defence and Space also declined to comment. Massive programme in balance Disputes between Dassault and Airbus over the workshare of the project have long been part of the FCAS history, with CEOs from both firms frequently criticising the advancement of the programme in public. Spain's Indra has stayed out of the quarrels, at least publicly. The FCAS project extends far beyond building the fighter jet itself, and encompasses a whole system of connected platforms to support the pilot. The programme envisions swarming drones for additional firepower, reconnaissance and disruption of enemy systems. All FCAS systems are supposed to be connected and supported by the so-called "combat cloud", the third major pillar of the Franco-German-Spanish project. The stakes are high. A rival sixth-generation fighter jet project – the British-Italian-Japanese Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), also known as Tempest – is progressing steadily, raising further questions about the viability of competing European programmes. Meanwhile, the American F-35, led by Lockheed Martin, continues to attract European orders, and US aerospace giant Boeing is moving forward with its own sixth-generation fighter, dubbed the F-47, with a toned-down version for foreign sales. (bts)
Euractiv
3 days ago
- Business
- Euractiv
Merz acknowledges fresh tensions with France over FCAS fighter jet project
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)
Bloomberg
3 days ago
- Politics
- Bloomberg
Merz, Macron Eye Meeting to Resolve Growing Fighter Jet Rift
Updated on Save German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron will seek to quell a growing Franco-German squabble over the countries' next-generation fighter jet when they meet for high-profile consultations in Berlin this month. The two leaders are scheduled to meet during the week of July 21, ahead of ministerial talks between the two governments in August. Growing friction over the Future Combat Air System jet has moved to the top of their agenda, according to people familiar with the matter.
Bloomberg
4 days ago
- Politics
- Bloomberg
Merz to Meet Macron in Bid to Resolve Growing Fighter Jet Rift
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron will seek to quell a growing Franco-German squabble over the countries' next-generation fighter jet when they meet for high-profile consultations in Berlin later this month. The two leaders are scheduled to meet during the week of July 21, ahead of ministerial talks between the two governments, but friction over the Future Combat Air System jet has moved to the top of the agenda, according to people familiar with the talks.
