France has reportedly asked Germany for an 80% share in the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), the joint fighter jet initiative also involving Spain, according to Reuters. The project, worth over €100 billion ($117 billion), is led by Airbus, Dassault Aviation, and Indra. France’s push for a bigger stake has sparked concern among partners, as it may disrupt existing agreements and delay the upcoming development phase scheduled for later this year. Germany’s defense ministry maintains that current intergovernmental agreements stand, while both the French Defense Ministry and Airbus declined to comment. Airbus, however, reaffirmed its support for FCAS and existing commitments. Launched in 2017 by France and Germany and later joined by Spain, the program has faced ongoing tensions over workshare and intellectual property.
