Following the setback regarding the joint German-French FCAS project, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) announced that he will be deciding on a direction for an alternative solution for Germany by the end of March 2027.
Pistorius told the Funke media group that Germany has ruled out taking the lead in building a new fighter jet on its own. While he expressed strong interest in having the German aviation industry play a role in the endeavor, he acknowledged that the companies themselves stated they could not handle the task entirely alone.
Two options are currently under consideration. The first involves participation in the Global Combat Air Program, a project involving Britain, Italy, and Japan, with negotiations ongoing. The minister stated they must review whether German involvement could lead to significant delays that would be unacceptable to all parties. The second option is for Airbus to develop its own project with other European partners, which would aim for the early 2040s. A definitive decision is slated to be made in the first quarter of next year.
Looking beyond the fighter jet, Pistorius also addressed the discussions concerning the German-French tank project. He emphasized that while joint defense ventures with France remain possible, they must be established differently than they have been previously. He stressed that the focus must now shift to these “important joint ventures.”
These ventures are closely linked, including collaboration with Britain on precise long-range weapons. Furthermore, collaboration on space projects, such as ballistic early warning, is also continuing very closely. Pistorius concluded that while there are numerous fields available for cooperation, the underlying conditions for this collaboration have changed.
