Pistorius Undergoes Armor Training on His Shoulder with France
In a recent meeting in Osnabrück, Germany, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and his French counterpart Sébastien Lecornu reaffirmed the importance of close German-French cooperation in defense policy, particularly in the development of the Future Combat Air System (FCAS).
Pistorius emphasized that strengthening European defense readiness can only succeed in close cooperation with France. He views France as a key partner in defense policy and sees no insurmountable obstacles in the development of the FCAS. However, the current stage of the project presents significant challenges.
The FCAS, a joint air combat system being developed by Germany, France, and Spain, is scheduled to start operations in 2040. The system is currently in Phase 1B, focusing on research, design, and development of the New Generation Fighter (NGF), including propulsion, sensors, and communication systems. Phase 2, which involves creating a demonstrator planned to fly by 2029, is expected to begin in early 2026, pending resolution of current disputes.
The main point of contention is the industrial work share dispute between the lead companies Dassault Aviation (France) and Airbus (Germany and Spain). Dassault Aviation demands a larger share of industrial work (up to 80%), while Airbus resists this shift, advocating for a more balanced distribution reflecting partnership principles. This disagreement has raised concerns about delays and risks to the program’s schedule.
During their discussions, Pistorius and Lecornu expressed confidence that problems in the joint development of the FCAS can be quickly resolved. They have tasked officials to achieve clarity and propose a workable solution by late 2025 or early 2026.
The upcoming months are crucial in resolving industrial disagreements to enable Phase 2 launch and keep the demonstrator’s first flight on track for 2029. Failure to reach an agreement could threaten the program’s viability.
In addition to military cooperation, the situation in Ukraine was also discussed during the talks. Pistorius invited Lecornu for talks in his hometown, signifying a continued effort to strengthen bilateral relations. Lecornu, during his visit, signed the Golden Book of the city as a symbol of this bond.
The FCAS program faces a juncture dominated by industrial conflicts and evolving national strategic interests. The success of this German-French-Spanish collaboration hinges on finding equitable work share arrangements and aligning strategic priorities. The resolution of these issues will be crucial for maintaining the 2040-plus operational timeline of the FCAS.
Technology and politics intersect in the ongoing negotiations surrounding the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), as Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and his French counterpart Sébastien Lecornu strive to resolve industrial work share disputes between Dassault Aviation and Airbus, thus ensuring the program's operational timeline remains on track for 2040. General-news outlets have reported that the upcoming months are crucial in reaching an agreement to progress to Phase 2 and keep the demonstrator’s first flight on track for 2029.
