Overview
- Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles met French counterpart Catherine Vautrin in Madrid and said she is confident the partners can resolve differences on the sixth‑generation fighter.
- Both ministers acknowledged disagreements and said they will engage with Germany’s Boris Pistorius to keep the trilateral effort on track.
- The core dispute concerns industrial leadership, with French industry seeking a dominant role as Germany insists that existing contracts be honored.
- Spain reiterated its 33% participation, noting a €700 million tranche approved on November 4 and earlier commitments including €2.5 billion signed in April 2023.
- The aircraft is planned for around 2040, with France saying it needs the capability by then and wants it to be exportable; key companies include Indra, Dassault and Airbus, with workshare on the NGF a central flashpoint.