Airbus Defence and Space joined seven German firms to propose a new European fighter programme after the Franco‑German Future Combat Air System stalled. The consortium—Airbus, Autoflug, Diehl Defence, Hensoldt, Liebherr, MBDA, MTU Aero Engines and Rohde & Schwarz—sent a letter to Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Defence Minister Boris Pistorius outlining the plan. The proposal seeks to fill the capability gap expected in the 2040s.

The group will unveil the alliance, dubbed Team Gen 6, at the ILA Berlin Air Show later this week. German officials have already signaled a break with France, with Merz telling President Emmanuel Macron that the €100bn FCAS project should be abandoned. The move aims to preserve Europe’s “war‑readiness” by pooling German expertise while keeping doors open to Spain and Sweden, aimed at deployment by 2030s.

Executives from the eight firms will meet in Berlin to sign the pact, signalling a market shift away from the faltering Franco‑German venture. By consolidating design, radar and engine capabilities, the alliance could capture a sizable share of the estimated multi‑billion‑euro defence spend slated for next‑generation combat aircraft. The announcement underscores Germany’s intent to steer Europe’s fighter future without French participation and could lift books.