Overview

• Chancellor Friedrich Merz publicly rebuffed reports that France seeks an 80% share in the €100 billion Future Combat Air System project.
• A spokesperson for the German Defence Ministry confirmed that no official demand for such an enlarged workshare has been received to date.
• SPD and CDU/CSU defence spokespeople warned that ceding an 80% stake to France would likely spell the end of the trilateral venture.
• Talks between Germany, France and Spain remain deadlocked as partners aim to finalize consortium terms by the end of the year.
• Germany is evaluating the UK-led Tempest programme with BAE Systems, Leonardo and Mitsubishi as a contingency if FCAS negotiations collapse.