EMET NEWS PRESS

Situation Overview

The Future Combat Air System (FCAS) was a trinational program (Germany, France, and Spain since 2019) targeting development of a manned sixth-generation fighter aircraft alongside networked unmanned escort systems, with program initiation in 2017. On 8 June 2026, the governments in Berlin and Paris officially terminated the manned-fighter component of the program. This followed a multi-month deadlock between Airbus and Dassault Aviation over program leadership, work-share allocation, intellectual property rights, and operational requirements for the airframe.

Consortium Structure: Team Gen 6

Two days after the FCAS termination, an Airbus-led consortium of eight companies presented itself publicly under the designation "Team Gen 6." Members: Airbus Defence and Space, MBDA, Hensoldt, Diehl Defence, MTU Aero Engines, Liebherr, Autoflug, and Rohde & Schwarz. Hensoldt, Diehl Defence, and Rohde & Schwarz were part of the German FCAS sub-consortium for sensors, effectors, communications, and mission systems; MTU was part of the propulsion workstream. Autoflug and Liebherr were not listed as primary partners in the original FCAS industrial structure — their inclusion broadens the industrial base for a national or multinational successor program. Public presentation is scheduled for ILA Berlin (10–14 June 2026); intra-consortium signature of the agreement was anticipated for Wednesday.

Industry Requirements / Timeline

According to Airbus, a position paper outlining the consortium's industrial parameters for a sixth-generation fighter aircraft was submitted to BMVg and the Federal Chancellery (addressees: Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Defence Minister Boris Pistorius). Per AFP, citing this document, the consortium is requesting full contract award by the second half of 2026. A source familiar with the matter indicates the consortium partners may sign the internal agreement prior to a federal government decision.

BMVg Statement / Procurement Options

Defence Minister Boris Pistorius confirmed to journalists on Tuesday that the Team Gen 6 project is "conceivable and an option." BMVg is concurrently evaluating additional procurement options: increased unit numbers under the F-35 program (US production), and potential accession to the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), currently comprising the United Kingdom, Italy, and Japan, with Sweden reportedly under consideration as an additional partner. According to Pistorius, discussions with relevant stakeholders have been ongoing for several months.

Strategic Indicators

Available indicators suggest France is pursuing an independent successor program centered on Dassault Aviation and a Rafale follow-on development. Relevant to assessment of Germany's option set: former Airbus CEO Tom Enders previously advised against an independent national fighter program, recommending prioritization of unmanned systems instead. Regarding the status of non-fighter FCAS components, Airbus Defence and Space CEO Michael Schoellhorn stated in May 2026 that networked systems and remote-carrier (drone) elements of the program could continue independent of the manned-fighter pillar's status. Termination of the manned FCAS component shifts the timeline for fielding a European sixth-generation fighter aircraft among the participating armed forces and increases the relevance of interim solutions (additional F-35 procurement, potential GCAP accession) for closing the capability gap in the post-2040 timeframe.

Glossary

FCAS (Future Combat Air System)

Trinational program (Germany, France, Spain) for development of a sixth-generation fighter aircraft alongside networked systems and unmanned escort platforms; program initiated 2017, manned-fighter component terminated 8 June 2026.

Team Gen 6

Airbus-led industrial consortium of eight, predominantly German, defense companies, presented 10 June 2026, pursuing an independent sixth-generation fighter program.

GCAP (Global Combat Air Programme)

Multinational sixth-generation fighter development program involving the United Kingdom, Italy, and Japan; potential accession candidate from a German perspective.

Sixth-generation fighter aircraft

Next-generation manned fighter aircraft, typically conceived with networked sensors, optional unmanned escort systems (remote carriers), and advanced avionics.

Consortium

Industrial grouping of multiple companies for joint program execution — here: the eight firms operating under "Team Gen 6."

ILA Berlin

International Aerospace Exhibition Berlin, scheduled 10–14 June 2026; venue for the Team Gen 6 presentation.

BMVg

Federal Ministry of Defence, Federal Republic of Germany.

References

After FCAS collapse: 

Germany launches new fighter consortium – Euronews (with AFP)de.euronews.com/business/2026/06/10/airbus-bundnis-startet-deutsches-kampfjetprojekt-nach-fcas-aus

German industry readies Team Gen 6 fighter plan after FCAS collapse – AeroTime (citing Financial Times)aerotime.aero/articles/german-team-gen-6-fcas-fighter-collapse