Germany weighs additional F-35 purchases and other options after FCAS cancellation
Germany's defense minister outlined several paths forward, including buying more F-35 jets, joining an international sixth-generation fighter program, or launching a domestic effort, following the termination of the Future Combat Air System.
German defense officials are reassessing their next-generation fighter strategy after the collapse of the Franco-German-Spanish Future Combat Air System (FCAS). Defense Minister Boris Pistorius presented three primary options on Tuesday. One is to acquire more F-35 aircraft from the United States, adding to the 35 already ordered; plans for an additional 15 jets, valued at nearly $3 billion, have been discussed previously. Pistorius described the extra jets as a possible “bridge” solution toward a future weapon system.
A second alternative is to join an existing international fighter program that incorporates sixth-generation capabilities, with the British-Italian-Japanese Global Combat Air Programme identified as a leading candidate.
The third route would involve launching a German-led development effort in partnership with Airbus and other firms, a concept that has been under informal discussion for months.
Pistorius attributed the FCAS failure to unresolved intellectual-property disputes and differing military requirements with French aerospace company Dassault, noting that despite political will, the companies could not reach an agreement. He added, "Knowing what we know today, we wouldn’t set up a program in this way again."