Belgian Prime Minister Criticises France and Germany Over Stalled Fighter Jet Project

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever said on Tuesday that the inability of France and Germany to agree on a joint sixth-generation fighter aircraft programme represents a missed opportunity for European defence. Speaking at an event in Brussels, he described the deadlock as "pure stupidity" and warned that Europe could become irrelevant in a crucial part of air defence both now and in the coming decade.

The Future Combat Air System (FCAS), which also includes Spain as a partner and counts Belgium as an observer, was intended to replace Germany’s Eurofighter and France’s Rafale jets by around 2040. The programme envisions a combination of a new warplane, unmanned drones and a "combat cloud" that would integrate aircraft with ground and satellite sensors.

German officials announced on Monday that Paris and Berlin would cease work on the fighter-jet component of FCAS because of "unsurmountable disagreements" between France’s Dassault Aviation and Germany’s Airbus Defence and Space. De Wever added that any suggestion Europe could develop the aircraft alone ignored the reality of the partnership, referencing Dassault CEO Eric Trappier’s statements that France does not need Germany to build a warplane.

Trappier has previously opposed Belgium’s participation in FCAS, citing the country’s purchase of U.S.-made F-35 fighters, a point that has caused friction with successive Belgian governments.