France and Spain back Europe's next‑gen fighter as Germany stays silent
France and Spain reaffirmed support for Europe’s Next‑Generation Fighter while Germany declined to comment, creating uncertainty that could affect programme timelines and industrial cooperation.
Key facts
- France and Spain publicly reaffirmed support for the FCAS/Next‑Gen Fighter after trilateral talks.
- Germany’s Ministry of Defence declined to disclose details, calling the discussions confidential.
- Berlin’s silence raises risks to programme timing, industrial workshare and European strategic autonomy.
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France and Spain have moved to reassure industry and partners that the Next‑Generation Fighter programme remains a priority after a recent trilateral meeting, emphasising ongoing cooperation on technical development, industrial contributions and export readiness. Officials in Paris and Madrid portrayed the talks as evidence of continued political backing needed to sustain supplier confidence and maintain momentum toward key milestones.
Germany’s Ministry of Defence refused to discuss the meeting, describing its content as confidential. Given Germany’s central role in FCAS/NGF—both politically and industrially—this public silence is significant. It reflects persistent internal deliberations in Germany over cost sharing, programme governance and national industrial interests that have complicated progress in previous phases.
Analysts warn that prolonged ambiguity from Berlin could delay tranche decisions, complicate workshare agreements, and weaken the programme’s attractiveness to external customers. The episode underscores a broader point for European defence cooperation: advanced platforms require not only technical alignment but sustained political consensus among partners. How Berlin chooses to engage in coming weeks will shape whether FCAS/NGF keeps its current timetable or requires renegotiation of industrial and financial arrangements.
Source: Breaking Defense
