Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) defended the decision to terminate the Franco-German project, which aimed to jointly develop a sixth-generation fighter jet with Spain. Speaking at the opening of the International Aerospace Exhibition (ILA) in Berlin on Wednesday, Merz stated that he and President Macron found the issue of a Franco-German fighter jet incredibly difficult.
“We made several attempts over months to bring the involved companies to an agreement,” Merz said. Following a mediation process, the Chancellor and President reached a shared conclusion that the companies were unable to find a common ground for building a joint fighter jet. Merz affirmed, “We acknowledge this reality,” adding that he and President Macron had agreed last Friday not to proceed with the construction of a joint aircraft.
While this decision ends a long-standing blockade, Merz noted that it also opens up “new possibilities for the industry to move forward in the construction of modern fighter jets through alternative means.” Furthermore, he confirmed that the core of the FCAS initiative, conceived as a European “system of systems,” will continue. The Chancellor concluded by emphasizing that Germany and France will continue to collaborate on defense issues.
