France is moving forward with its own fighter jet program after ending a collaboration with Germany and abandoning the NGF project.
France to develop its own fighter jet
France has confirmed it will end its collaboration with Germany and abandon the "Next Generation Fighter" (NGF) project, shifting to a national program called ACF, or "Future Combat Aircraft." This decision was revealed during a recent hearing by General Bellanger, Chief of Staff of the Air and Space Force, before the National Assembly's Defense Committee.Long history of uncertainty
The move follows years of indecision, unproductive discussions, and disputes over the NGF project. These issues reached a turning point in June 2026, when the project was quietly terminated, marking a significant shift in France’s defense strategy.Industrial tensions and strategic choices
The decision comes amid industrial conflicts between Dassault Aviation and Airbus, two major French aerospace companies. These tensions, along with Germany's selection of the F-35 fighter jet in 2022, have influenced the current path of France’s military aviation development.Germany's evolving defense strategy
Germany has recently chosen to participate in other defense initiatives, moving away from the collaborative NGF project. This shift has left France to pursue an independent path, focusing on the ACF program to ensure its future combat aircraft capabilities.
