Germany ends fighter jet partnership with France

Germany has ended its collaboration with Dassault Aviation to develop a next-generation fighter aircraft, a key component of the Future Combat Air System [SCAF] program led by France, Germany, and Spain. This decision comes as part of a broader reassessment of Germany’s military aviation strategy.

German industry forms new fighter jet consortium

Following the termination of the partnership, eight German industrial firms, led by Airbus Defence & Space GmbH, formed a new consortium named "Team Gen 6" to develop a sixth-generation fighter aircraft. In Spain, six companies, including the Spanish branch of Airbus Defence & Space, expressed interest in collaborating with this initiative.

Germany weighs multiple options for fighter jet development

Berlin has not yet decided on the future of its combat aviation. The country is considering three paths: entrusting the development to Team Gen 6, joining the Global Combat Air Programme [GCAP] with the UK, Italy, and Japan, or forming a closer partnership with Sweden and Saab.

UK invites Germany to join GCAP, but challenges remain

At the start of October, UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham proposed Germany’s participation in GCAP during a visit to Berlin. However, the existing industrial structure of GCAP, dominated by the Edgewing consortium, makes it difficult for Germany to join. German officials are reportedly not enthusiastic about joining the program.

Germany prefers closer ties with Sweden and Spain

An internal assessment by the German Ministry of Defense suggests a new partnership with Sweden and Spain would be more advantageous than joining GCAP. This recommendation is based on shared military needs and the potential to build on the Gripen E fighter jet. However, this is not yet an official government decision.

Sweden is already advancing its next-gen fighter program

Sweden is currently working on a next-generation fighter aircraft as part of its "Konceptprogram Framtida Stridsflygsystem" [KFS] project. This progress could serve as a foundation for a future German-Swedish-Spanish collaboration, according to internal German defense documents.