Blow to EU defence cooperation as France, Germany abandon joint fighter jet programme
AI Summary
German Chancellor Merz and French President Macron have agreed to end the FCAS, a multi-billion-euro joint program launched in 2017 to develop next-generation European fighter jets intended to replace the Eurofighter. The cancellation follows years of disputes between aerospace contractors Airbus and Dassault over leadership roles and cooperation terms. Both leaders indicated the decision should not mark the end of German-French military collaboration.
France and Germany on Monday announced they were abandoning a joint fighter jet programme due to disagreements between France's Dassault Aviation and Airbus, which represents Germany and Spain.
The decision came as a blow to European efforts to boost defence cooperation in the face of increasing Russian hostilities and souring ties with the United States. ...