Eight Companies to Develop Europe’s Sixth-Generation Fighter Jet
- Airbus is organizing an alliance of eight companies, led by Germany, to develop a sixth-generation fighter jet for Europe.
- The primary objective of the alliance is the development of a sixth-generation fighter jet designed for European use.
- Airbus is planning the alliance under German leadership to coordinate the technical and business requirements of the new aircraft development.
Airbus is organizing an alliance of eight companies, led by Germany, to develop a sixth-generation fighter jet for Europe. According to reports on June 9, 2026, this consortium is intended to replace a previous fighter jet project that has been characterized as doomed.
What is the goal of the new fighter jet alliance?
The primary objective of the alliance is the development of a sixth-generation fighter jet designed for European use. This initiative is being positioned as a strategic replacement for a prior fighter jet project that failed to progress, described in reports as doomed.

How is the consortium structured?
The consortium consists of a group of eight companies. Airbus is planning the alliance under German leadership to coordinate the technical and business requirements of the new aircraft development.
The shift toward a German-led alliance of eight firms marks a change in approach from the previous, unsuccessful fighter jet effort. By consolidating eight different companies, the project seeks to establish a viable path forward for European aerospace defense.
