Germany’s participation in Europe’s flagship Future Combat Air System programme has come under fresh doubt after Friedrich Merz suggested Berlin may walk away from the ambitious joint defence project, citing mismatched military requirements and growing industrial tensions with partners.
In an interview on Wednesday, the chancellor questioned whether the multinational effort still aligns with Germany’s strategic needs. He warned that without a clear resolution to key disagreements, Berlin could be forced to withdraw and pursue alternative partnerships.
The programme, known as Future Combat Air System, was conceived as Europe’s answer to next-generation air combat threats. It aims to deliver a new fighter jet, coordinated drones and a digital “combat cloud” linking aircraft and battlefield systems.
However, Merz argued that the operational goals of the partners are increasingly diverging. France seeks an aircraft capable of carrying nuclear weapons and operating from aircraft carriers — requirements Germany does not currently share.
“That leads to a fundamental question,” Merz said, according to excerpts of the interview. “Do we have the resources and political will to build two different aircraft, or are we being asked to accept one that doesn’t fit our needs?”
His comments reflect deeper strategic differences between Germany and France, whose armed forces follow distinct doctrines. While Paris maintains a nuclear deterrent and carrier-based operations, Berlin focuses primarily on NATO commitments and territorial defence.
The FCAS initiative was launched in 2017 by Emmanuel Macron and former German chancellor Angela Merkel, with Spain joining two years later. The project was presented as a symbol of European strategic autonomy and deeper defence integration.
Beyond replacing existing fighter fleets, FCAS was designed to foster a shared industrial base. Supporters argued that pooling resources would help Europe compete with American and Asian defence manufacturers while reducing duplication.
Yet industrial disputes have steadily undermined progress. France’s Dassault Aviation has sought greater control over the design and production of the core fighter aircraft, citing its experience building advanced jets.
That stance has clashed with the interests of Airbus, which represents German and Spanish stakeholders and demands a more balanced division of labour. Negotiations over work share and intellectual property have repeatedly stalled.
Defence analysts say these tensions risk delaying the programme’s timeline and inflating costs. The aircraft is meant to replace France’s Rafale fighters and German and Spanish Eurofighters by 2040, but critics warn that further delays could force countries to seek interim solutions.
Merz acknowledged that Germany had already postponed a formal decision on its commitment several times. Originally expected by the end of 2025, the review has slipped as Berlin reassesses its broader defence strategy amid heightened tensions with Russia.
The war in Ukraine and increased European rearmament have sharpened the debate over where limited defence funds should be allocated. Some officials argue that immediate readiness and proven systems may take precedence over expensive long-term development projects.
Others caution that abandoning FCAS could weaken Europe’s defence industry and deepen reliance on non-European suppliers. A collapse of the programme would also signal a setback for political cooperation at a time when unity is considered crucial.
Merz, however, stressed that Germany would not be left isolated if it chose to exit. He said several European countries had already indicated willingness to explore alternative partnerships with Berlin.
For now, the future of Europe’s most ambitious air combat project hangs in the balance. Whether compromise can be reached — or whether FCAS becomes another casualty of competing national interests — may shape the continent’s military landscape for decades.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
