Germany's air force chief announced at the Berlin Air Show that the country will need to "pick up" a fifth-generation-plus fighter system by 2035, signaling a pivot after the collapse of the Franco-German-Spanish Future Combat Air System (FCAS) program. The statement opens the door to potential purchases of additional F-35s or other advanced platforms, though no specific aircraft have been named.
The collapse of FCAS reshapes European defense-industrial dynamics. Germany, a key NATO member, now faces a capability gap in its fighter fleet, which currently relies on the Eurofighter Typhoon. The urgency is compounded by the need to integrate with alliance systems and maintain interoperability as the U.S. and other allies field fifth-generation jets. A 2035 target sets a concrete timeline for procurement, though the choice of platform will influence European industrial participation.
Airbus, which represented Germany and Spain in FCAS, is increasingly looking to Sweden's Saab as a preferred partner, according to sources. This shift could tighten industrial ties between the two nations and reduce reliance on French-led projects. Italy, another FCAS participant, may also reconsider its position. Adversaries including Russia are likely to view the program's dissolution as a strategic opening, while the U.S. stands to benefit from potential F-35 sales.
No contract values or specific budget allocations have been disclosed. The German defense budget's capacity to absorb a major fighter procurement will be a key factor, especially amid competing priorities such as the Iran conflict and NATO force goals. The timeline suggests a decision within the next few years to meet the 2035 operational date.
Analysts caution that the collapse of Europe's most ambitious aerospace collaboration could set back continental defense integration. However, the shift may accelerate Germany's acquisition of proven systems, reducing developmental risk. The final choice will test Berlin's balance between transatlantic ties and European industrial sovereignty.