France Urges FCAS Partners to Redefine Roles: Future of Fighter Jet Project at Stake!

PARIS — In an effort to adhere to the planned timeline for the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) project, France has suggested to its partners Germany and Spain that a revision of the division of labor is necessary. The French Directorate General for Armament (DGA) conveyed this proposal, aiming for the deployment of the new fighter aircraft by 2040.

Despite the advancements in the project, such as finalizing the design of the fighter demonstrator, there have been certain challenges. The DGA has communicated these issues to Defense News via email, stating that France has recommended a recalibration of the collaboration, focusing on enhancing industrial leadership to maintain the project’s momentum.

“As the leading nation in this initiative, France is urging both governmental and industrial stakeholders to reflect on the experiences gained from the initial years of collaboration. The aim is to ensure the project proceeds on schedule and achieves success,” the DGA noted. They added that the revised approach to cooperation and its specifics are currently under discussion with the involved parties.

This proposal by France arises amidst indications that Dassault Aviation, the main aircraft manufacturer in the project, is advocating for a larger role in certain aspects of the program. The CEO of Dassault Aviation, Eric Trappier, has highlighted the need to resolve governance issues within the project before progressing to phase 2, which includes the construction of a fighter demonstrator.

Dassault, as the primary developer of the new warplane within the broader combat system, has faced repeated delays. Trappier has frequently voiced frustrations regarding the disputes over work distribution with Airbus, which represents Germany and Spain in the fighter segment.

Dassault chose not to comment on the media reports concerning its request for an increased share.

Airbus still anticipates that the FCAS will be fully operational by 2040. However, due to the delays, Trappier suggests that 2045 might be a more realistic timeline for the fighter’s readiness. The DGA expects that the second phase of the FCAS will commence early in 2026.

Given that the FCAS is designed to ensure future air dominance in contested environments and will play a significant role in French strategic missions post-2040, adhering to the timeline is critical, according to the DGA.

One significant function of the FCAS fighter will be to carry the airborne component of France’s nuclear deterrent, a role currently fulfilled by Dassault’s Rafale jet.

The FCAS has achieved four critical milestones so far, but the challenges faced are typical for a project of such scale and ambition, the DGA explained, describing the initiative as one of “unprecedented complexity.”

The ongoing discussions about redefining the collaborative framework of the FCAS do not undermine the project’s objectives or its balanced nature, which is founded on equal partnership, the armaments directorate emphasized.

These discussions are expected to lead to a reevaluation of how tasks are allocated among the industrial stakeholders. “The share of work for each player is not predetermined but will emerge from negotiations among the partners,” the DGA stated.

Trappier has expressed a preference for a collaborative model similar to the French-led nEUROn stealth drone project, which saw six countries working in unison under Dassault’s leadership.

The FCAS is crucial for maintaining European defense sovereignty and holds strategic importance for France, which remains deeply committed to the success of the project, the DGA affirmed.

In December 2022, France, Germany, and Spain awarded a contract worth €3.2 billion ($3.7 billion) to Dassault Aviation, Airbus, Indra Sistemas, and Eumet for phase 1B of the FCAS, which covers research, technology, and overall design.