France Wants 80 Percent Share in Franco-German FCAS Fighter Project

France is seeking to take an 80 percent stake in the Franco-German-Spanish Future Combat Air System (FCAS) project, potentially upending the long-standing principle of equal partnership among the participating nations and aerospace companies.

This development follows ongoing disputes within the FCAS consortium—particularly between France’s Dassault Aviation and Airbus, which represents both German and Spanish interests in the program. The disagreements center on the division of responsibilities for the development of the Next Generation Fighter (NGF), the core component of the FCAS program.

According to Hartpunkt, Dassault CEO Éric Trappier recently stated that his company is capable of developing a sixth-generation fighter independently, without external partners. He voiced his dissatisfaction during the Paris Air Show, highlighting a lack of clarity in project management and criticizing the current structure of the NGF subprogram.

“We have the know-how to do it alone,” Trappier said, warning that Dassault could exit the program if its role is not strengthened.

The French government reportedly supports Dassault’s position. Officials in Paris have informed the German Ministry of Defense of their intent to claim 80 percent of the production work for the new fighter jet. If implemented, this shift would override earlier agreements that envisioned an equal distribution of roles among the three countries.

Such a move would significantly reduce Airbus’s involvement in the NGF segment. At present, Airbus teams from Germany and Spain are responsible for significant parts of the development under a €3.2 billion contract signed with Dassault in December 2022. The agreement initiated Phase 1, focused on demonstrator development and ground testing. Phase 2, which includes building flight prototypes, has yet to begin due to persistent internal disagreements.

Trappier also pointed out that Dassault currently holds just one-third of the votes in the NGF development, while Airbus holds two-thirds—an imbalance he claims has repeatedly led to conflict over task allocation.

In April 2025, reports surfaced of worsening cooperation between Dassault and Airbus, marking another chapter in the strained partnership. French officials have also criticized delays in the program, suggesting that the multinational collaboration may no longer be capable of meeting its original timeline.