Macron Says FCAS Combat Jets Project ‘Not Dead’, Pushes For Breakthrough With Germany
France reaffirmed its commitment to the FCAS programme, as President Emmanuel Macron pushed for renewed momentum with Germany to advance Europe’s next-generation combat aircraft partnership. Image courtesy: AI generated picture via DLL-E
French President Emmanuel Macron has strongly rejected speculation that the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) programme is no more active, stressing that the ambitious project in partnership with neighbouring Germany and Spain was on track due to its strategic importance.
In his interviews to European publications, Macron’s response to questions on the FCAS being dead was a curt “No.” He said the French-German-Spanish fighter jet project remains alive and strategically important for Europe’s future defence needs.
Macron said France viewed the FCS as “a very good project” and expressed intent to discuss with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz the furtherance of the combat jet programme soon. There were mounting concerns over the trilateral combat aircraft project, as an earlier news report in December 2025 indicated there was no breakthrough in talks among the defence ministers of the FCAS partner nations France, Germany and Spain to resolve differences that hit the programme.
The FCAS has been envisioned as the future replacement for the French Rafale, and Germany and Spain’s Eurofighter Typhoon.
The FCAS project would also meet the sixth-generation fighter aircraft needs of Europe.
