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BERLIN: The leaders of Germany and France have agreed to abandon plans for a next-generation European fighter jet, bringing an end to the central component of one of Europe’s most ambitious defence initiatives after prolonged disagreements among participating aerospace companies.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron reportedly reached the decision during discussions on the sidelines of the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Montenegro last week.
According to German officials, the two leaders concluded there was little prospect of resolving months of disputes between the industrial partners involved in the programme. Merz is said to have advised Macron that efforts to develop a jointly produced fighter aircraft should no longer continue.
The project, launched in 2017 by Macron and former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, was intended to serve as the cornerstone of Europe’s future air combat capabilities and was valued at approximately €100 billion ($116 billion).
A major obstacle proved to be disagreements between Airbus, representing Germany and Spain, and Dassault Aviation, which were unable to reach consensus on key aspects of the programme.
The French presidency confirmed that Macron and Merz discussed the issue extensively and expressed regret that industry partners had failed to find common ground. Despite the project’s collapse, France emphasized that Franco-German defence cooperation remains strategically important for both countries and their European partners.
The decision comes at a sensitive moment for European security. Western military officials have repeatedly warned of growing security challenges posed by Russia, while the United States has increased pressure on European allies to strengthen their defence capabilities and expand military spending.
The failure of the fighter jet programme highlights broader difficulties Europe has faced in rebuilding and modernizing its defence industrial base after decades of relatively low investment. The project also included participation from Spain and had been viewed as a flagship effort to enhance European strategic autonomy in defence technology.
Defence analysts warned that the collapse of such a high-profile programme could send an unfavorable signal internationally. Douglas Barrie, a senior fellow for military aerospace at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, noted that the outcome was “hardly ideal signalling either to Washington or to Moscow.”
The cancellation raises fresh questions about Europe’s ability to coordinate major multinational defence projects at a time when regional security concerns and military modernization efforts are becoming increasingly urgent.
