Another mediation effort for the Franco-German fighter jet project, FCAS, has failed to reach a consensus among the mediators, according to the “Handelsblatt” citing sources familiar with the negotiations. It is reported that there may even be two different outcome reports. Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) plans to become updated this weekend and will make a decision by Tuesday, ahead of meeting French President Emmanuel Macron at an informal summit of heads of state and government in Cyprus next Thursday and Friday.
During the dispute over the project’s leadership, both sides had commissioned the former head of the tank manufacturer KMW and former French arms manager Laurent Collet-Billon at the end of March to attempt a final resolution. The French side reportedly threatened again with a withdrawal from cooperative defense programs, citing the recent electoral victory of Rassemblement National. The French right-wing populists had announced that they would cease cooperative armament programs if they gained power. Furthermore, France reportedly threatened to exit the joint MGCS tank program if FCAS is not continued. However, within industry circles familiar with the negotiations, there is concern that Merz may ultimately persuade Macron to proceed with the project.
This potential outcome, however, is not welcomed even within Germany’s own ranks. Volker Mayer-Lay (CDU), a CDU spokesperson for the Air Force, told the “Handelsblatt” that “this prolonged affair must finally end”. Since mediation has now been fully utilized, the FCAS project, in its current form, will likely conclude if it does not yield a positive result. The CDU politician stipulated that, in that case, the focus must quickly shift toward a two-fighter solution, meaning that Germany and France would independently develop their own fighter jets.