The European fighter jet project FCAS, a major defense initiative involving France, Germany, and Spain, is facing significant delays and internal disputes over control and workload sharing, threatening its future progress.

Disagreements over leadership and work-share distribution, with France seeking an 80% work-share and demanding more control, have caused delays and risk stalling the project, which aims to replace older aircraft by 2040.

Spain has reaffirmed its commitment to the FCAS program, emphasizing its strategic importance for European defense, and has shifted focus from U.S.-made F-35s to European options like Eurofighter and FCAS.

European defense ministers plan to meet in October to address these setbacks, with a decision on whether to proceed with the second phase of the project expected in the fourth quarter of 2025.

The FCAS project, involving Airbus, aims to develop a sixth-generation fighter jet to replace the Eurofighter and Rafale by 2040, with a budget exceeding 100 billion euros, and includes complex features like drone integration.

Meanwhile, the UK-led Tempest project is progressing faster, with a prototype expected to fly in two years and operational jets by 2035, and has been more open to international collaboration.

German Defense Minister Pistorius has emphasized the importance of adhering to contractual agreements and warned against indefinite delays, calling for swift negotiations to resolve disputes.

Leaders from France, Germany, and Spain are expected to meet at a summit to resolve these issues, with hopes of preventing a breakdown of the project.

German, French, and Spanish defense ministers will meet in October to discuss the future of FCAS and work to overcome the current deadlock, with German officials urging a resolution by the end of 2025.

French President Macron and German Chancellor Merz have agreed to decide on the future of FCAS by the end of 2025, amid French interest in involving additional industry partners.

The FCAS program, costing over 100 billion euros, aims to develop a sixth-generation fighter to replace older aircraft by 2040, but ongoing disputes threaten to delay these timelines.

Disagreements over leadership and work distribution could delay the development of demonstrators and the launch of the second phase, originally scheduled for the end of 2025.