FCAS fighter faces uncertainty

• Berlin has begun in-depth technical discussions with members of the GCAP in the UK and Italy
• The roadmap being actively discussed within the German Air Force
• Although demonstrators for sensors and data links remain operational

Germany’s newly appointed Air Force chief, Lieutenant General Holger Neumann, has signalled a readiness to explore alternative approaches to future combat aircraft development if the Franco-German Spanish Future Combat Air System (FCAS) continues to face delays and political tensions. In a recent interview with Der Spiegel, Neumann emphasised that the long-term vision is to establish a highly networked military force, fundamentally centred on a digital combat cloud and incorporating unmanned systems. He noted that the selection process for the next crewed fighter could follow a range of pathways, depending on the evolving circumstances.

The FCAS initiative is designed as a comprehensive ‘system of systems,’ with several key components integral to its architecture. At the forefront is the New Generation Fighter (NGF), a politically charged element of the program led by Dassault Aviation in France, with Airbus serving as the primary partner representing both Germany and Spain. Additionally, the program includes a family of remote carrier drones, directed by Airbus for Germany, MBDA for France, and Indra for Spain, alongside a sophisticated combat cloud infrastructure, managed by Airbus in Germany, in collaboration with Thales from France and Indra from Spain. Neumann clarified that the hallmark of FCAS is not merely the fighter aircraft itself, but rather the innovative digital architecture that interlinks crewed platforms, unmanned drones, advanced sensors, and various weaponry. He remarked, “Decisive is the networking with unmanned systems and new types of sensors in a so-called combat cloud,” underscoring that this critical component will advance independently of the future of the cooperative fighter program.

Neumann’s comments arrive at a crucial time as France and Germany reassess the viability of the FCAS NGF, amid ongoing discussions in Paris and Berlin regarding the potential scaling back or cancellation of the joint aircraft initiative. These discussions could pave the way for national or alternative multinational solutions. Germany’s first F-35A aircraft are expected to be operational by 2026, with Neumann highlighting their role in supporting Germany’s participation in NATO's nuclear-sharing mission. However, he asserted that Berlin does not intend to depend solely on the F-35 for its long-term aerial combat capabilities.

When asked about options in the event of a collapse of the joint NGF venture, Neumann pointed toward various multinational programs, notably the UK-Italy-Japan Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) and expressed openness to developing new cooperative frameworks within Europe. He reiterated Germany’s commitment to exploring all available avenues for achieving sixth-generation capabilities while ensuring that the pillars of the FCAS combat cloud remain on course.

Additionally, Neumann outlined ongoing modernisation efforts, including the enhancement of the Taurus cruise missile and plans for a next-generation variant known as Taurus Neo. He emphasised that integrating a bridging capability, such as the Tomahawk missile, would reinforce deterrence efforts until new European long-range systems are fully operational. Industry sources have indicated that manufacturers have until mid-December 2025 to devise a strategic way forward with the FCAS program.

At the recent Air Force Tech Summit held in Berlin, Oberst Joerg Rauber, Germany's FCAS program manager at the Bundesministerium der Verteidigung (BMVg), provided a remarkably candid analysis of the current state of the project. He presented a detailed chart outlining the planned structure of the FCAS as a balanced array of multinational components, which he referred to as a “global balance.” Rauber highlighted that this balance is now increasingly under threat, with several partner nations advocating for treating certain aircraft and unmanned systems as national assets, which could significantly disrupt the collaborative framework that has been established. He confirmed that recent positions from Dassault and the newly appointed French Minister of Defence advocating for majority control over specific design domains contradict previous agreements on workshare. Rauber reiterated, “Germany wants to continue in the established setup. But if that no longer works, we must consider alternatives.” He concluded with a pragmatic assessment: “Yes, the program must continue. The question is only how,” anticipating that a decisive political resolution is expected before the year’s end.

The current reality of the FCAS has shifted, now primarily focusing on its technical backbone—the Combat Cloud and its underlying data architecture. Officials from the Bundesamt für Ausrüstung, Informationstechnik und Nutzung der Bundeswehr (BAAINBw) are now framing the potential future of the FCAS as “a coordination framework for interoperability between national systems.” Although demonstrators for sensors and data links remain operational, the concept of a singular, jointly developed NGF has dissipated amidst these developments.

The roadmap being actively discussed within the German Air Force outlines four principal objectives for a post-full-scale FCAS landscape:

1. CFSN Combat Cloud: Establishing a robust national command and data layer designed to be the German backbone within the broader FCAS Combat Cloud, ensuring seamless interoperability across allied military networks.

2. CCA Development: Advancing two categories of unmanned systems, specifically designed for escort, strike, and electronic jamming roles, with weight classifications of 4–5 tons and ten tons.

3. Integration of Existing Platforms: Effectively linking current aircraft, such as the Eurofighter EK and F-35A, along with future drone systems, through advanced data fusion techniques.

4. Next Generation Fighter: Initiating the development of a successor to the Eurofighter, preferably in collaboration with either Spain or Sweden.

Concurrently, Berlin has begun in-depth technical discussions with members of the GCAP in the UK and Italy, aiming to explore data link and interoperability alignment between the German CFSN and the architecture of the Anglo-Italian Japanese initiative. This collaborative effort seeks to expand Combat Cloud compatibility across an array of European defence projects, solidifying a united approach to future air combat capabilities.