Airbus and Dassault to team up on combat fighter
Airbus and Dassault Aviation announced on 25 April that they intend to team up on the development of the future French-German combat fighter, a project Berlin and Paris unveiled in 2017.
The two firms ‘have decided to join forces for the development and production of Europe's Future Combat Air System,’ which is intended to enter service by 2040, they said in a joint statement released at the Berlin air show.
The French and German governments are expected to make an announcement during the air show about their intention to move forward with the project.
Airbus and Dassault have been rivals in the development of combat aircraft.
Dassault builds the Rafale (pictured) which is France's main fighter jet, while Airbus is a partner in the EurofighterTyphoon which is used by several European nations including Germany.
Dassault's chief executive Eric Trappier told journalists that the two firms had reached an agreement in principle to work together.
He called it ‘a first message to tell (policy-makers) we are ready in the field of a future air combat system.’
The chief executive of Airbus's defence unit, Dirk Hoke, called the project a ‘huge step forward’ in ensuring the development of technologies to ensure European sovereignty.
‘It can only be done, not only when the governments work together, but when key industrial partners team up,’ he said.
You may also like
More from Defence Notes
-
![How might European countries look to tackle drone incursions?]()
How might European countries look to tackle drone incursions?
Disruption of infrastructure in Europe, whether by cyberattack, physical damage to pipelines or uncrewed aerial vehicles flying over major airports, as has happened more recently, is on the rise. What is the most effective way of countering the aerial aspect of this not-so-open warfare?
-
![Taiwan approved for $11 billion weapon purchase from US]()
Taiwan approved for $11 billion weapon purchase from US
The US State Department’s approval of a multi-billion-dollar sale of weapons to Taiwan includes tactical mission networks equipment, uncrewed aerial systems, artillery rocket systems and self-propelled howitzers as well as anti-tank guided missiles.
-
![Ireland spells out $2.3 billion shopping list in five-year defence spending plan]()
Ireland spells out $2.3 billion shopping list in five-year defence spending plan
Ireland’s multi-annual investment in capital defence spending is set to rise from €300m in 2026 to €360m in 2029–2030 with major upgrades across land, air, maritime and cyber domains.
-
![Canada to deepen integration of multi-domain capabilities to strengthen its defences]()
Canada to deepen integration of multi-domain capabilities to strengthen its defences
The Canadian Department of National Defence has created new organisations to manage the procurement and integration of all-domain solutions and allocated US$258.33 million to strengthen production capacities.
-
![US National Security Strategy prioritises advanced military capabilities and national industry]()
US National Security Strategy prioritises advanced military capabilities and national industry
The 2025 NSS has emphasised investment in the US nuclear and air defence inventory and national industry, but it leaves multiple unanswered questions on how the White House will implement this approach.
-
![Canada set to look away from its neighbour and across the Atlantic for partners]()
Canada set to look away from its neighbour and across the Atlantic for partners
While non-EU UK struggles to join the Security Action for Europe initiative, which provides loans for defence programmes, Canada has become the first country outside Europe to get access – and did so for a nominal fee.
