DefenseGermany questions future of manned sixth-generation fighter as FCAS faces uncertainty
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has cast doubt on whether Germany should continue pursuing a manned sixth-generation fighter under the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) program, adding new uncertainty to the long-delayed European initiative.
Speaking on the Machtwechsel podcast, Merz questioned the long-term relevance of a crewed stealth combat aircraft, citing the high cost and extended development timeline of the project.
“Will we still need a manned fighter jet in 20 years’ time? Do we still need it, given that we will have to develop it at great expense?” he said.
The FCAS program, launched in 2017 by France and Germany and later joined by Spain, is intended to replace the French Dassault Rafale and the Eurofighter Typhoon from the 2040s onward.
The system centers on a next-generation fighter supported by unmanned “remote carriers” and a digital combat cloud linking platforms and sensors.
The €100 billion ($108 billion) effort has been slowed by disputes over workshare and industrial leadership, particularly between France’s Dassault Aviation and Airbus, which represents German and Spanish interests in the fighter pillar of the program. Industry sources have indicated that Berlin and Paris are struggling to agree on governance and design authority for the future combat aircraft.
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said last week that clarity on the program’s future could emerge within days, as governments assess whether the partnership can move forward under its current structure.
Merz acknowledged diverging operational requirements between Berlin and Paris. France seeks a nuclear-capable fighter that can operate from aircraft carriers, while Germany has no such requirement. “If we cannot resolve this, we will not be able to continue with the project,” he said.
He also signaled that Germany could consider alternative partnerships if it concludes that a manned stealth fighter remains necessary. “There are others in Europe, the Spanish for one, but there are also other countries that are interested in discussing this with us,” he said.
In parallel, the United Kingdom, Italy and Japan are advancing their own sixth-generation effort under the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), which aims to deliver a next-generation fighter by 2035. The progress of GCAP has sharpened comparisons with FCAS as European governments weigh strategic autonomy, industrial interests and the future shape of combat air power.
About the Author
Ricardo Meier
Creator of the website that started in 1996 as a magazine. He also writes on Brazilian websites AUTOO, MOTOO and MetrôCPTM.
