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last mo.

Macron and Merz Seek Resolution on SCAF Governance in Berlin Talks

They are pursuing a new industrial agreement before year’s end to prevent Dassault from abandoning Europe’s future combat aircraft project.

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Éric Trappier ne loupe plus une occasion de dire le mal qu'il pense de ses partenaires récalcitrants dans la conception du futur chasseur trinational.
Le PDG de Dassault Aviation Eric Trappier présente au président Emmanuel Macron un modèle de Rafale au salon du Bourget près de Paris, le 20 juin 2025

Overview

  • Dassault CEO Éric Trappier reiterated doubts over SCAF’s governance this week and warned his company could quit if terms remain unchanged.
  • Airbus insisted on upholding the original political and industrial accords and cautioned that the programme’s future depends on renewed frameworks.
  • On July 23 in Berlin, President Macron and Chancellor Merz held high-level talks to reshape leadership arrangements ahead of the 2025 negotiation deadline.
  • Phase 1B of SCAF, running through 2026, is developing technologies for a demonstrator expected to fly in 2028–29, with prototype construction slated for the next phase.
  • The project faces growing pressure from the rival Global Combat Air Programme and from European states ordering U.S. F-35 fighters, notably Belgium’s purchase of 11 jets.