Why Europeans Have Problems with Joint Weapons?
DW / Šristi Mangal Pal | 31. May 2026 | 17:41
EPA / PHILIPP GUELLAND
Europeans have big plans for joint military systems, but in all of this, each member also pursues its own interests.
Europe wanted to jointly develop a new generation fighter jet: the Jurofajter is actually a project that began back in the 1980s and despite improvements, in the not too distant future it will no longer be at the level of the competition, reports Dojče vele.
However, in the debate about the joint aircraft, more and more questions arose: where exactly will it be produced? What weapons must it carry? How much will it cost? And when it comes to regulations that Germany steadfastly adheres to: to whom will the aircraft be allowed to be sold abroad at all?
All in all: the largest European defense project could now end with two separate aircraft. Erbas, which represents the German and Spanish side of the "Future Combat Air System" (FCAS) program, responded to DW's inquiry that it is prepared for a "change of program" after years of political and industrial disputes.
EPA / PHILIPP GUELLAND
This could include a two-aircraft solution in which France and Germany would develop separate fighter jets. Cooperation would remain, but primarily on drones, sensors, and digital systems that connect the battlefield in real time.
Because the fundamental question goes even deeper than national interests: according to the experiences of the modern front, how important is the fighter jet itself in the arsenals of future armies?
Even the mere admission that two aircraft could emerge represents a major turnaround for a project that was once presented as a symbol of Franco-German military unity.
Can FCAS still be saved?
"The governments of France, Germany and Spain continue talks to decide what to do next with the FCAS project," an Erbas spokesperson told DW. Erbas CEO Gijom Fori is convinced that the broader program still makes sense, even if the fighter jet at its heart is blocked.
"The stagnation of one component must not jeopardize the entire future of this European high-tech capability," Fori said. Erbas can also live with a solution involving two aircraft if the governments so decide.
But it's not just the aircraft that's in dispute; the question also arises: can the largest European powers still jointly develop large weapon systems?
How did this project come about?
After a long tradition of cooperation starting in the 1970s with the Alfadžet, FCAS was launched in 2017 by France and Germany, and later joined by Spain. The project, worth around 100 billion euros, should bring a sixth-generation combat system around 2040. The program goes far beyond the fighter jet itself. It includes drones, unmanned escort aircraft, engines, and a "combat cloud" that connects aircraft, sensors and front-line data in real time.
EPA / Adam Warzawa
Where will the jobs be?
The political dispute also stems from the industrial one. "Dassault Aviation", the French manufacturer of the Rafale fighter, wants clear leadership over the new aircraft. "Airbus Defence and Space" represents German and Spanish interests and demands a larger role. The result is a long-standing dispute over leadership, work share and technology transfer. No significant progress has been made even after several mediation attempts.
Erbas now hints that the solution could be to stop trying to "cram" all requirements into one aircraft, because the requirements of the modern front are significantly different today than a decade ago. For many military experts, the most important part of FCAS may no longer be the aircraft itself, but the networking of all weapon systems on the front.
The "combat cloud" – a digital system that connects aircraft, drones, sensors and weapons on land, air and water – is increasingly seen as an area where European cooperation still makes sense. Defense expert Kristijan Meling told DW that this system is important because Europe still largely depends on the US in this area. Other experts believe that the development of drones, software and front-line networking could continue even if the fighter jet project is split or scaled down.
That may not be a political success like a joint aircraft, but it could prevent the complete collapse of FCAS.
And what about the European "super tank"?
The problems with FCAS are now spilling over into another key Franco-German project: the "Main Ground Combat System" (MGCS). While Germany was still somewhat willing to concede France more experience in fighter jets, France had to accept that Germany had a better hand.
MGCS is supposed to replace the German Leopard 2, but above all, France urgently needs a successor for its Leklerk tank. The project was launched together with FCAS in 2017 as part of a broader political agreement between Paris and Berlin.
The division was clear: France leads the development of the fighter jet through the company "Dassault", and Germany leads the development of the tank thanks to its armored vehicle industry. The purpose was not just the production of weapons, but also the connection of the two largest European military powers.
However, that agreement is now shaken: if changes occur with the fighter jet, the balance of power on which the new tank rests could also be disrupted. And that project constantly encounters obstacles: the German company Rajnmetal now claims that its new Panter tank is already the tank of the future and that there is actually no great need to develop something even newer. However, the authorities of France and Germany agreed in 2024 to continue the next phase, but it is not expected that the system will enter service before around 2040.
Test for the European defense industry
Russia's aggression against Ukraine has spurred European governments to invest more in their own defense, and it has also shown that excessive dependence on the US is not good. Since then, the EU has called for joint arms procurement and strengthening the European defense industry.
But the problems with FCAS show how difficult it is to implement that ambition in practice. Analysts at the "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace" warn that the outcome of FCAS could shape European defense cooperation in the long term. If the project fails, governments could be significantly more cautious in launching such large multinational programs in the future.
(DW)
