Politics The future of European defence | strategy & industry |

[muck]

The Franco-German FCAS 6th gen fighter program appears to be well and truly dead. 'Hartpunkt' reports that Paris has demanded 80% of the work share and complete design authority for Dassault, otherwise they'll walk. (Source)

In other words, they want Germany to pay 50% of the development costs for whichever product Dassault deigns to deem fit for German usage, and without granting a corresponding share of the value creation chain.

Never mind the industrial policy aspects—this ultimatum is completely unacceptable for Germany. You cannot possibly treat a partner like that and then tell him to put his faith in your goodwill.

 

[Fluff]

The Franco-German FCAS 6th gen fighter program appears to be well and truly dead. 'Hartpunkt' reports that Paris has demanded 80% of the work share and complete design authority for Dassault, otherwise they'll walk. (Source)

In other words, they want Germany to pay 50% of the development costs for whichever product Dassault deigns to deem fit for German usage, and without granting a corresponding share of the value creation chain.

Never mind the industrial policy aspects—this ultimatum is completely unacceptable for Germany. You cannot possibly treat a partner like that and then tell him to put his faith in your goodwill.

Not trying to inflame the situation, but the French were probably leaning on the fact that only they and the UK have designed to production a combat aircraft in the last 40 years. Its going to be difficult because the UK tempest is becoming a pacific range bomber, rather than a medium range fighter which I assume is what Germany wants. Maybe Germany should buy into the turkish project, its probably more what they want.

 

[muck]

Mate, the Germans (and Italians) didn't just twiddle their thumbs during the Typhoon and Tornado programmes. And Airbus Germany could bring a few relevant experiences to the table (LOUT, for instance).

But be that as it may, Dassault's work share demand isn't even the final nail in the coffin. I'd presume you could press Germany into giving the entire project to them in exchange for a quality product built to specifications … Expecting the Luftwaffe to disregard its requirements and doctrines is absurd, though. It certainly looks like an attempt to freeze Berlin out.

Germany doesn't need an upgraded Rafale riddled with structural compromises to maintain carrier capability …

'Hartpunkt' speculates that since ample funding is now available, Germany might attempt to build their own aircraft. They're (correctly) pointing out that the claim that Europe doesn't have "room" for several fighter programmes doesn't hold water any more, the more so against the backdrop of Turkey's and South Korea's recent successes.

 

[muck]

Never mind the industrial policy aspects—this ultimatum is completely unacceptable for Germany. You cannot possibly treat a partner like that and then tell him to put his faith in your goodwill.

The German government has responded by saying that "the intergovernmental agreement with France remains the binding framework for Germany's participation in the programme". (Source) In other words, if the French want to unpack the memorandum again, Germany is out.

 

[Mike1976]

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