The cancellation of the project comes as the US government increases pressure on Europe to increase its military independence.
Published June 8, 2026
France and Germany have announced they are canceling a landmark project to jointly develop a sixth-generation fighter jet.
French President Emmanuel Macron’s office confirmed on Monday that the project would be finished. The development is a major blow to efforts to strengthen defense cooperation among European Union countries, which has become a key issue amid uncertainty raised by President Donald Trump about the United States’ readiness to help defend NATO allies.
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The Future Combat Air System (FCAS) project, which was expected to cost around $116 billion, reportedly stalled after France’s Dassault Aviation and Airbus, which was in charge of the project on behalf of Germany and Spain, could not agree on leadership and control. Conflict between the two companies is believed to have been the main reason for the breakdown of negotiations.
Macron’s office said it would continue to consider other military venture possibilities in Europe.
“The German authorities have decided that it is impossible to put any further pressure on the companies involved,” the Elysée newspaper said in a statement.
“The French authorities will continue to encourage our companies and armed forces to explore ways and means to pursue ambitious European projects that are consistent with our national security interests,” he added.
The program, originally launched in 2017 and joined by Spain two years later, aims to develop a fighter jet by around 2040 to replace France’s Rafale jets and the Eurofighter flown by the British, German and Spanish air forces, among others.
The new jet would be equipped with a newly manufactured unmanned vehicle and a high-security combat data cloud.
Both France and Germany have repeatedly attempted to salvage the project. President Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz discussed the issue just last week.
The EU has long struggled to cooperate on defense issues, with many opposing it due to concerns about the impact on NATO. But as uncertainty surrounding the United States grows, calls for agreeing to a coordinated security strategy are growing.
President Trump has long questioned America’s stance on military alliances. This is causing major concern as Russia moves ahead with its invasion of Ukraine, raising concerns that the war risks spilling over beyond the EU and NATO’s eastern borders.
The US president’s threat to take military action to seize Greenland from North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member Denmark only heightens alarm.
Trump’s disapproval has grown in recent weeks as European countries criticize the U.S. and Israel’s war against Iran and refuse to join the conflict, accusing European NATO allies of not spending enough on defense and calling for them to reduce their reliance on the United States for military protection.
His apparent departure from Europe has unsettled European leaders, who fear it could weaken the continent’s security posture and embolden Russia.
