Franco-German Rift Risks Dooming Next Fighter Jet, BDLI Says

A rift between French and German companies over control of a next-generation fighter jet risks dooming the project, Germany’s aviation lobby said, putting in doubt a marquee program just as the region fortifies its defense capabilities.

France’s Dassault Aviation SA has publicly sought to take on a leadership role in the the FCAS aircraft that it’s jointly developing with Airbus SE and Spain’s Indra Sistemas SA. Airbus has said such maneuvering runs counter to the previously agreed work share, and that it risks undermining the program.