Airbus turns to Saab partnership as Franco-German FCAS fighter jet program collapses

Jun 9, 2026

The Franco-German Future Combat Air System (FCAS) has collapsed due to industrial infighting between France's Dassault and Airbus. The failure is a blow to European defense cooperation. In response, Airbus is exploring a partnership with Sweden's Saab and has also led a German consortium in proposing an alternative plan. Another option is joining the UK-Italy-Japan GCAP project, reshaping Europe's future air power.

FCAS fighter program collapse

▪The failure of the nine-year FCAS project is considered a significant blow to European defense cooperation.
▪The collapse of the FCAS program followed years of industrial infighting and disputes between France's Dassault Aviation and Airbus.
▪The Franco-German Future Combat Air System (FCAS) fighter jet program, which also included Spain, has collapsed.

Airbus-Saab partnership exploration

▪Following the FCAS collapse, Airbus is increasingly looking to Sweden's Saab as a preferred future partner for a fighter jet project.
▪Airbus and Saab have been engaged in broad exploratory talks for at least six months, according to three people familiar with the matter.
▪Airbus Defence & Space CEO Michael Schoellhorn confirmed that Saab is among the potential partners being considered.

Alternative GCAP project option

▪Leonardo CEO Lorenzo Mariani stated that Germany would be a "particularly valid partner" for the GCAP project.
▪Another potential path for Airbus is joining the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) involving Britain, Italy, and Japan.
▪A potential hurdle for Germany joining GCAP is its tight 2035 deadline, which could limit the country to a junior role.

European fighter cooperation challenges

▪An Airbus-led consortium of German companies has submitted an alternative fighter jet proposal to Germany's Defence Minister Boris Pistorius.
▪German partners in the FCAS project opposed efforts by France's Dassault Aviation to assume greater control over building the aircraft.
▪Germany and France have different military requirements; France needs jets that can carry nuclear weapons and operate from aircraft carriers, while Germany does not.

Future European air power landscape

▪Sweden is currently conducting research on a successor to its Gripen fighter jet, with political decisions on its future expected in 2030.
▪Dassault Aviation has stated it is ready to develop a new fighter jet on its own, similar to how it produced the Rafale.
▪The decisions made following the FCAS collapse will shape the landscape of European air power for decades to come.