SCAF Program: Airbus Ex-CEO Criticizes Germany’s Strategic Alliance with France
European Fighter Program Faces Collapse Amidst Deep Divisions
– Europe’s ambitious Future Combat Air System (FCAS) – also known as SCAF – is on the verge of collapse, plagued by industrial and political disagreements between France, Germany, and Spain. What was once hailed as a landmark project for European defense autonomy is now increasingly seen as a dysfunctional collaboration, with France appearing prepared to walk away.
The core of the dispute centers around workshare and leadership responsibilities, particularly concerning the development of the New Generation Fighter (NGF) combat aircraft. According to reports, Germany and Spain have begun exploring alternative partnerships, including with Sweden, while a German union has declared it will not work with France’s Dassault Aviation.
The unraveling of the program, launched industrially in 2018 by a Franco-German consortium led by Dassault and Airbus, with Spain joining in 2019, has been brewing for some time. Despite official commitments to finding a “mutually acceptable solution” by the end of 2025, disagreements aired publicly at the Paris Air Show remained unresolved. The deadline was missed, and the two sides reportedly grew further apart.
The situation is further complicated by differing visions for the future of air combat. Former Airbus CEO Tom Enders, who oversaw the launch of FCAS in 2017, recently warned Germany against pursuing a national fighter program, arguing that Berlin would be better served by prioritizing unmanned combat aircraft. Enders, now a board member of the drone and AI developer Helsing, estimates that developing a national fighter could cost upwards of $400 billion, with operational readiness unlikely before the late 2040s.
Enders suggested that Germany consider joining the UK-led Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) or partnering with Sweden’s Saab as alternatives for the next generation of manned combat aircraft. He characterized a solely German-developed fighter as “a national prestige project that would drain defense budgets for decades and contribute nothing to the combat power of the air force, even in the medium term.”
France’s position has reportedly hardened, with demands for an 80% workshare in the project raising significant concerns about its viability. The FCAS/SCAF represents an investment of over €100 billion over several decades and is considered central to Europe’s quest for strategic autonomy, aiming to reduce reliance on U.S. Defense systems.
The potential collapse of the FCAS program raises questions about the future of European defense cooperation. Some analysts suggest the difficulties highlight a broader issue of differing national priorities and industrial interests hindering collaborative efforts. One French general, speaking anonymously, reportedly lamented that Europe remains “accro” – addicted – to American intelligence, suggesting a lack of true independence in defense capabilities.
Airbus has indicated a willingness to develop a sixth-generation aircraft independently, but acknowledges there is a “hic” – an unspecified obstacle – to that plan. The future of European air power remains uncertain as the SCAF program teeters on the brink.
The situation is also viewed in the context of broader strategic shifts. Nicolas Baverez, writing in Le Point, argues that France’s rearmament efforts are currently stalled, and the FCAS debacle is a symptom of a larger problem.