Tre chiodi nel programma di combattenti FCAS: Paris chiede “Frank Talk” con i partner

It wouldn’t surprise me if Germany and Spain eventually exit and join the GCAP programme. Their requirements more closely align with that of the UK and Italy in GCAP, as all 4 operate the Eurofighter Typhoon which these programmes are looking to replace.
It could be that the 6th gen platform developed for FCAS could actually be a good option in the 2040’s for the UK to replace its F35B’s with if France develop a Carrier based option.

At some point they should learn that you don’t put Airbus and Dassault into the same program

>On a note from Defense Express, these three issues now sound like three nails in the coffin of the FCAS initiative, and it’s France that holds the hammer.

>Notably, this is far from the first signal of discontent from the French side. Just two months earlier, Dassault Aviation CEO Éric Trappier appeared before parliament and openly questioned the wisdom of remaining in the FCAS program. He argued that France is capable of developing such an aircraft independently, implying that Germany and Spain [may not be up to the task](https://en.defence-ua.com/industries/french_dassault_hints_at_quitting_fcas_fighter_program_unwilling_to_compromise_with_germany_and_spain-14132.html).

Well that’s that then isn’t it, I don’t see how they come back from that simply outrageous statement. The arrogance of them here is beyond the scope. I mean, Dassault could probably cobble something together but we aren’t talking about the development of a 4 Gen Multirole fighter like the Rafale, we are talking about a 6th Generation optional manned monster that is full of emerging technologies France doesn’t have a comparable advantage in, which is the entire point of multinational collaborations. They cannot pull the huge German and Spanish contributions to help them out in areas of weakness.

The capability will be worse, It will cost a prohibitive amount and It will still be 5 to 10+ years behind and competitor because they would have to practically start again.

Why don’t countries learn that this is how France operates

They join a consortium and once the plans are far enough ahead they jump out of the project to “do their own version” in house

They’ve done this with planes, ships etc

Way too late to add a pair of nations who had their specific requirements that didn’t line up with the GCAP project

Btw is the Charles de Gaulle even out of being refitted yet?

Or maybe Germany and Spain could just listen to France for once. The Rafale turned out to be quite a capable fighter jet and these technical demands sound very reasonable if all of the talk about European strategic autonomy is to be taken seriously. If Europe wants to ever become independent of the US military then an aircraft with nuclear strike capabilities is indispensable. Launching from carriers should also be an option if Europe wants to protect any of its islands and overseas territories like let’s say Greenland.

To those saying they should join GCAP: that project [isn’t without problems of its own.](https://www.reuters.com/markets/europe/japan-frets-over-fighter-rollout-target-weighs-stopgap-options-sources-say-2025-05-30/) There are inevitable issues with aligning the goals of three countries into one aircraft; imagine trying to do that with six countries.

If we want to talk military sooner or later we’ll have to have the Tank Fralk as well

France wants the ability to be able to launch them from carriers and launch their nuclear weapons from them. Those are very important capabilities if Europe is going to be able to look after itself.

This isn’t « new demands » : France needed a nuclear capable and carrier-capable aircraft from the beginnings. Given that France is part of the sources of the program, framing these demands as news is disingenuous, at best.

Trappier is either delusional or disingenuous saying that Dassault/France can make a 6th gen fighter on their own.