Future Combat Air System (FCAS)

By Robert Wall, Tony Osborne, Richard Aboulafia
Richard Aboulafia joins Check 6 to discuss how 2026 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for two next-generation fighter programs conceived in Europe: FCAS and GCAP.
Check 6

By Richard Aboulafia
The program looks poised to thrive in a world where the U.S. has alienated its best friends.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Robert Wall
An effort by France, Germany and Spain on their cooperative Future Combat Air System fighter program will continue into 2026.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Anna Sliwon-Stewart
In the two years since our last analysis of the Swedish Air Force, Sweden has achieved several objectives aimed at modernizing its air capabilities.
AWIN Knowledge Center

By Tony Osborne
Airbus sees a potential opening to address a NATO need to find an alternative platform to Boeing’s E-7 airborne early warning aircraft.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Robert Wall
Leaders of Germany, France and Spain plan to meet to address French concerns about greater participation for Dassault Aviation in the FCAS program by year's end.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Tony Osborne, Jens Flottau, Robert Wall
Eurofighter and Gripen deals from Turkey, Germany and Ukraine have bolstered Europe’s fighter aircraft industry rebound.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Tony Osborne
At the heart of tension in France is that Dassault Aviation asserts it does not have enough say over program decisions.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Robert Wall, Jens Flottau
As the drama over the Franco-German-Spanish Future Combat Air System nears its climax, Airbus is sketching out what is to come.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Robert Wall
CEO: Airbus is committed to supporting Germany and Spain on the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) program even if France drops out.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Robert Wall
German aircraft engine maker MTU remains hopeful the French/German/Spanish Future Combat Air System program will move forward.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Tony Osborne
Sweden’s defense materiel agency FMV has contracted Saab for an expansion of its ongoing multi-phase study work into future combat aircraft development.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Robert Wall
France and Germany have pledged to jointly develop an early warning system for Europe as both EU countries aim to strengthen defense technology capability.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Robert Wall
German Chancellor Merz says he expects a resolution on the way forward for the Future Combat Air System program with France and Spain to be set by year-end.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Tony Osborne
“We have no lessons to learn from arrogant industrialists,” says Defense Minister Theo Francken in response to Dassault's comments about Belgium and FCAS.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Thierry Dubois
Belgium has no solid basis to become a full partner in the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) program, Dassault Aviation Chairman and CEO Éric Trappier says.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Tony Osborne
Missile programs and procurement are at the heart of a renewed defense cooperation agreement between France and the UK.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Tony Osborne
The four-nation Eurofighter combat aircraft is “still very much in the game” for potential export sales to Saudi Arabia and Turkey, says a UK government minister.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Robert Wall
Diehl and Sener have struck an agreement to work together on projects such as remote carriers and hypersonic weapons technologies.
Missile Defense & Weapons

By Tony Osborne
With engine upgrades, stealth drone integration and enhanced weapons, France’s Dassault Rafale is evolving for the future—and eyeing new export wins.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Robert Wall
With higher output, more orders and new upgrade plans, Eurofighter’s CEO says the program has reached an inflection point.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Robert Wall, Tony Osborne
Can the French-German-Spanish fighter development program be saved? The next few months could be decisive.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Robert Wall
Tensions over the potential workshare within the Franco-German-Spanish FCAS program resurfaced on the second day of the Paris Air Show.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Tony Osborne
Airbus executives appear to be expecting a less-than-smooth ride as they negotiate the next stage of development for the pan-European Future Combat Air System.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Robert Wall
European militaries should expedite their pursuit of collaborative combat aircraft, Airbus Defense & Space CEO Michael Schoelhorn argues.
Aircraft & Propulsion