“Grande opportunità mancata per l’Europa”-Progetto di prestigio franco-tedesco sull’orlo del crollo
https://www.welt.de/politik/ausland/article68d90e123204c86ca0ddbab9/kampfjet-fcas-grosse-verpasste-chance-fuer-europa-deutsch-franzoesisches-prestigeprojekt-vor-dem-aus.html
di SraminiElMejorBeaver
13 commenti
Honestly, this time i won’t translate everything as it is pointless, and there has been enough post about fcas before anyway.
So the few interesting part about one of the two real problems in the FCAS (governance and aircraft weight) :
First Sweden is not an option.
>In Germany, the search for potential replacement partners has already begun. However, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) rejected a possible cooperation with the Swedish aircraft and defense company Saab at the beginning of last week.
>Today, as then, France and Germany are arguing not only over the division of labor, but also over fundamental tactical considerations. France always wants to be able to launch its fighter jets from its own aircraft carriers. From the German perspective, however, this poses several limitations, as the jets must be smaller and lighter to fit on the ships’ flight decks and in their elevators.
>
>At the same time, carrier aircraft must be built more robustly, as the takeoff and landing loads are greater. This makes them heavier and limits their payload. It is also more difficult to install internal weapons bays, which are crucial for stealth technology. Under these conditions, however, a stealthy air superiority fighter with high performance and fuel reserves, as desired by Germany, is difficult to realize.
And this confirm another [french source](https://www.secretdefensev2.com/post/scaf-ou-pas-scaf-paris-n-exclut-plus-un-retrait-du-programme-europ%C3%A9en-d-avion-du-futur) reporting on it about Germany wanting an heavier plane
(This part is not from the main article in case of)
>For the French authorities, the key issue now is the timetable. However, they assure us, “the current schedule does not allow us to meet it.” It must therefore be reviewed.
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>Another concern, as seen from Paris, is the aircraft’s weight. The initial agreement was for an empty aircraft weighing fifteen tons (compared to just over ten tons for the Rafale). However, the Germans now want a heavier aircraft.
Regardless neither country is welcome in Tempest. As customers yes, but not as development partners. France and Germany frequently torpedo projects for their own agendas. Overall it is very concerning how divided European defence procurement and production is.
Especially at a time when we need to have a united defence policy.
Oh well there is always the option of buying more arms from Trump. Like a vassal, rather than the independent superpower Europe was supposed to be.
Surprising absolutely nobody. Its a stereotype for a reason.
I believe there is one way out of this mess that is not talked about much : build two planes.
A lighter, navalised, force projection plane by France and a heavier deep strike plane by Germany and Spain. A lot of technologies that will need to be developed can be used for both airplane : material science (engine and aerostructure), sensors, very low observability aerodynamics, data fusion and so on. Combat cloud and loyal wingman are the main crux here as they could be used for both airplane and could also be used to entice the GCAP team to share some of their technologies as the GCAP isn’t a system of system program though all participants are looking into this kind of things.
In any case, I am convinced that such a solution could prove in fact cheaper for everyone involved in the long run as no countries will be stuck with a plane resulting from a compromise that doesn’t really work for their army. In such a workaround, I am also pretty sure that France and Germany & Spain could buy some plane from the other side to complement their main doctrine.
The nuke and naval versions have always been red lines. Red line that Germany agreed upon when entering the project and redlines that have never been hidden.
Reneging on the pillar agreement and trying to get the design lead out of France responsibility for the NGF after shoo-in Spain in the project and wanting “democracy” is an attempt to take effective control of all pillars.
Allowing to scrap french requirements. Cue to Germany wanting a heavier plane unfit for naval versions.
It is an hostile takeover that is not acceptable. Especially considering what Germany is bringing to the table, a funding share equal to France and that’s it.
France is bringing most of the tech and expertise, as much money as Germany and is supposed to accept not getting a plane that fit their requirements and is a massive hole in their defence capabilities. While still doing tech transfer. For nothing.
Eurofighter shenanigans 2.0 where Germany forced a re-scope of the plane.
This has such an easy solution. Design two. One for carriers, one for land strips, include more member states increase financing. It’s always a race to the bottom in this still Europe of nations.
Compromise, France can make Germany an aircraft carrier.
Canada, Sweden and Germany should partner to make a gen 6 fighter.
At this point Germany might as well just build it’s own fighter jet
Airbus have enuf tech and now how to do it.
Solves all problems.
Maybe the compromise is for France to give Germany nuclear weapon capabilities.
That would make it a much more valuable proposition for Germany, and a significantly bigger deterrent.
Also, maybe another way to view this would be if the plane could launch be launched not just by an aircraft carrier but non-military airways, like the Gripen.
That would make it much more viable and danger as a weapon than what Germany has envisioned.
Tja
It’s not their fault. This happens to the closest of partners. Welcome to the world of defense cooperation
Germany still clinging to the strong man American exeptionalism scheme for now.