Story perspectives

Merz, Macron Abort €100 B Future Combat Air System

6/8/2026

Summary

Story summary

Chancellor Friedrich Merz questioned the need for a nuclear-capable fighter, helping pave the way to scrap the €100 billion Future Combat Air System project.
Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron announced on June 8, following the EU-Western Balkans summit in Montenegro, that the fighter jet program would be abandoned.
Airbus (Germany/Spain) and Dassault Aviation may continue developing peripheral systems such as the “combat cloud” under the Future Combat Air System name.

History

Historical Context

Started in 1983 as the Advanced Tactical Aircraft, the General Dynamics-McDonnell Douglas A-12 Avenger II was chosen in 1988 to replace the A-6 Intruder for the U.S. Navy. Spiraling to about $2 b in development, Defense Secretary Dick Cheney cancelled the program on 13 January 1991, sparking litigation that ended with a $200 m settlement per contractor in 2014.

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Story summary

Chancellor Friedrich Merz questioned the need for a nuclear-capable fighter, helping pave the way to scrap the €100 billion Future Combat Air System project.
Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron announced on June 8, following the EU-Western Balkans summit in Montenegro, that the fighter jet program would be abandoned.
Airbus (Germany/Spain) and Dassault Aviation may continue developing peripheral systems such as the “combat cloud” under the Future Combat Air System name.

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