"The leaders of France and Germany have a strong willingness to build a new fighter jet together despite bitter internal rivalries, according to the chief executive of engine manufacturer Safran. A row over who should lead between French aerospace company Dassault and the German unit of Airbus has threatened to break apart the countries' efforts to make a next-generation fighter jet."
"The Scaf would be a so-called sixth-generation fighter jet, combining stealth abilities with advanced electronics and weaponry as well as potentially flying alongside drones. It would be produced at the same time as the rival Global Combat Air Programme, or Tempest, which will be co-produced by Britain's BAE Systems, Italy's Leonardo and Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and the US's F-47 fighter, to be built by Boeing."
"Obviously the relationship between Airbus and Dassault is extremely difficult, Andries said. Have we reached a breaking point or not on the question? I can't answer. I know that on the political side there is still very strong willingness on the French president's side as well as on the German chancellor's side to strike a deal and to solve it."
France and Germany are politically determined to find a solution to jointly develop the Future Combat Air System (Scaf) despite severe tensions between lead industrial partners. A leadership dispute between Dassault and Airbus's German unit has risked fracturing the program even as Safran and Germany's MTU Engines coordinate on turbine responsibilities. The Scaf is envisioned as a sixth-generation stealth fighter with advanced electronics, weaponry and drone teaming capabilities. The project will overlap with rival programs including the UK-Italy-Japan Tempest and the US Boeing F-47, prompting questions about duplicated European efforts. Safran's chief executive emphasized strong presidential and chancellor-level willingness to resolve the impasse.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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