French Air Force Official Downplays Reports of FCAS Program Infighting

French Official Addresses FCAS Tensions

Brig. Gen. Phillipe Suhr, the French Air Force's point man for the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) program, has publicly stated that reports of infighting among the program's partners—France, Germany, and Spain—have been 'overstated' or 'exaggerated'. Speaking at the International Fighter conference in Rome, Suhr sought to reassure stakeholders about the project's stability and future.

He remarked, 'There are differences but don't believe all you are reading,' emphasizing the continued dedication to the ambitious defense initiative. Suhr added, 'We are still fully committed to this program with our partners and we will do our best to find a solution to move forward because we have to. It is important to deliver in the 2040s.'

The Future Combat Air System Initiative

The FCAS program, also known as SCAF in France, was initially launched in 2017 by France and Germany, with Spain joining subsequently. Its primary objective is to develop a sixth-generation fighter jet that will replace France's Rafales and Germany's Eurofighters by the 2040s. The comprehensive system is envisioned to include a New Generation Fighter (NGF), unmanned Remote Carriers, and a sophisticated Combat Cloud for networked operations. The project carries an estimated value exceeding 100 billion euros.

Clarifying Industrial Disputes

A significant point of contention in recent reports has been the alleged demand by French prime contractor Dassault Aviation for a larger share of control, with some claims suggesting an 80% stake. Brig. Gen. Suhr directly addressed these rumors, clarifying that such claims were 'not reality' and that Dassault's ambitions were more contained than publicly reported.

Industrial tensions have been a recurring theme, particularly between Dassault and Airbus, which represents Germany's workshare. In a previous statement, Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury had suggested that Dassault was free to withdraw from the program if it was dissatisfied with the agreed arrangements. These disagreements have led to concerns about the program's management and industrial leadership.

Broader Program Context and Outlook

Despite Suhr's reassurances, the FCAS program has faced acknowledged challenges. In September 2025, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez emphasized the importance of respecting the original work-sharing agreement among the three nations. Similarly, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius and French Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu had previously indicated in July 2025 that major questions surrounding the project needed to be resolved by the end of the year.

The program's progress is also being watched in the context of a competing initiative, the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP), which involves Italy, the United Kingdom, and Japan and is reportedly making significant headway. Nevertheless, French officials continue to underscore the commitment to the FCAS project, aiming for a first flight of a demonstrator by 2029 and operational entry around 2045.