Airbus Defence Chief Rules Out Total Collapse of FCAS Fighter Project

Airbus Defence chief Michael Schoellhorn on May 27 said the Franco-German FCAS fighter jet project will not completely fail, but acknowledged "unbridgeable differences" with partner Dassault Aviation are threatening the €100-billion ($116 billion) program. At least two components will proceed: a "Combat Cloud" network for weapon systems and a Collaborative Combat Aircraft drone program. Schoellhorn said the German and French defense ministries are working on a way forward before the ILA air show in Berlin on June 10. Options include developing two different fighter jets or forming a new European partnership, though he emphasized Germany cannot undertake the project alone. Talks have stalled over control issues between Airbus, which represents Germany and Spain, and France's Dassault.