European arms cooperation: Macron does not consider the FCAS fighter jet project a failure
spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/fcas-macron-sieht-milliardenschweres-luftkampfprojekt-weiter-auf-kurs-a-db927938-c2d9-4d94-9b16-3f0d313dfc86
Photo: spiegel.de · view article
FCAS Air Combat Project Remains on TrackMacron confirms progress on the €100B FCAS project, aiming to replace Eurofighter and Rafale jets by 2040.
Key FactsApr 24, 2026 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: spiegel.de
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: spiegel.de
- French President Macron stated that the FCAS air combat initiative is not failed following talks with Chancellor Merz.
- Defense ministries have been tasked to continue working on various aspects of the project in the coming weeks.
- FCAS is the largest European defense effort planned to succeed the Eurofighter and Rafale fleets by 2040.
- Disputes over work shares between Dassault and Airbus complicate negotiations and delay a timely resolution.
Europe has never needed unity, greater independence, and greater sovereignty as much as it does now.— Emmanuel Macron after talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Nikosia, on the FCAS air combat project
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