BERLIN (Reuters) -Germany still aims to take a decision on the future of the Franco-German fighter jet FCAS, or SCAF, by the end of the year, its defence minister said on Friday, with his French counterpart saying there was urgency to move forward on the project.
The project, which aims to develop next-generation fighter jets and related systems for European air forces, also includes Spain.
Berlin has blamed French industry for blocking the programme’s next phase by demanding sole leadership of the project, and political instability in France has delayed efforts for high-level talks on the issue.
NO DATE FOR TRILATERAL MINISTERS’ MEETING YET
Speaking to reporters in Berlin, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said that no new date for a trilateral ministers’ meeting had been set.
“We stick with the plan to take a decision by the end of the year, no matter what this decision will look like,” Pistorius said, adding that he had discussed the topic earlier this week with Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
“If and when there will be a (trilateral) meeting, I cannot say,” he said.
Pistorius said he had talked with his French counterpart Catherine Vautrin last week, and that she had stated her intention to continue with the project.
“But, as we all know, this is not a question which is decided by the French government alone. Mr (Eric) Trappier of (French defence company) Dassault is obviously playing a key role here, at least as regards public communication.”
Speaking ahead of a meeting with Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles in Madrid on Friday, Vautrin said there was urgency to move ahead because France’s current Rafale warplanes would need to be replaced by 2040.
“France needs a carrier (fighter jet) and the system, which is the SCAF innovation,” she said.
“We are three countries involved in this project and it’s logical that the three countries work together and their industries are part of the SCAF construction. There is urgency,” she said.
She added that all three would need to hold talks on the subject, although she gave no timeframe.
(Reporting by Sabine Siebold in Berlin and John Irish in Paris. Editing by Thomas Escritt and Mark Potter)
