Germany and France Form Teams to Accelerate Development of Sixth-Generation Fighter Jets

Reference News Network, June 14 According to a report from the Indian Economic Times website on June 12, the Franco-German joint fighter development project has failed, creating an opportunity for India and France to collaborate on the development of a sixth-generation fighter jet. The two sides held preliminary discussions at the defense minister level earlier this year.

France and Germany launched the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) project in 2017, aiming to jointly develop a new generation of fighter jets. However, due to differences in development concepts among partners like Airbus and Dassault, the project has remained in the design phase and has not progressed. The project has now been officially halted, with Germany deciding to independently advance related plans, and a new development consortium is expected to be announced soon.

In addition to independently advancing the Advanced Multi-Role Combat Aircraft project, India has been seeking overseas partners to jointly develop a new generation of combat aircraft. The termination of the Franco-German project has opened a new path for India in joint development.

Under another independent agreement, India will introduce advanced fighter jet engine technology from France. Additionally, India and France have signed a $35 billion procurement agreement for the Indian Air Force, which includes the local production of French Rafale fighter jets in India.

Sources indicate that during talks in February this year between Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and French Defense Minister Florence Parly, the cooperation on the sixth-generation fighter jet was a key topic of discussion.

India has previously explored the FCAS project, as well as the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) jointly promoted by Japan, Italy, and the UK, and has conducted technical exchanges related to these projects. India prefers to collaborate with a single reliable country rather than joining a multinational team, as multinational cooperation often leads to disagreements.

India is relying on the Advanced Multi-Role Combat Aircraft project to independently develop a fifth-generation fighter jet. Currently, it is widely believed that considering the development costs and technical thresholds, adopting a cooperative model to develop cutting-edge sixth-generation fighter jets would be more feasible.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs stated at a press briefing ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to France that India and France are seeking to carry out joint development projects in the defense sector.

India is still developing a fifth-generation fighter jet, while the United States, China, and Russia have already deployed this type of aircraft. Fifth-generation fighter jets have excellent stealth capabilities and superior payload capacity compared to traditional aircraft. Currently, there are no officially deployed sixth-generation fighter jets globally.

According to a report from the Spanish newspaper El País on June 11, after the FCAS project involving Germany, France, and Spain was suspended, eight leading defense and aerospace companies in Germany officially formed a "Sixth Generation Team" on the 11th, planning to develop a sixth-generation fighter jet in Europe to reduce dependence on the U.S. military-industrial complex. Meanwhile, Spain has also launched a similar development plan, with Airbus also participating, and both sides have expressed their intention to engage in deep cooperation.

During the Berlin International Aerospace Exhibition, representatives from Airbus and the eight companies issued a joint statement: "This alliance integrates the technologies, experiences, and production capacities of all parties, working together with other European partners to complete the development and standardization of the sixth-generation fighter jet."

The statement pointed out that this new type of fighter jet will integrate with various manned and unmanned combat platforms currently in service and in the future, building a systematic combat network and becoming the core of Europe's next-generation air combat system. Spain has also formed a supporting team in collaboration with multiple companies to closely coordinate with German partners to advance the project.

Members of the German sixth-generation fighter jet alliance include Airbus Defence and Space, the German branch of the European missile group, as well as six domestic companies: Otto Fuchs, Diehl Defence, Hensoldt, Liebherr Group, MTU Aero Engines, and Rohde & Schwarz.

The heads of the eight companies stated in the joint declaration: "In the current geopolitical situation, equipping our own and NATO allies' air forces with advanced equipment and strengthening collective defense capabilities has become a strategic necessity. We urgently need to establish a new framework for efficient collaboration to jointly create a leading European air combat system to safeguard collective security."

Learning from the disagreements of the previous project, the new alliance emphasizes that all participating companies adhere to a "clear willingness for multilateral cooperation." (Translation/ Xu Yanhong, Han Chao)