Airbus-led group proposes fighter jet alternative after French-German project fails

yahoo ^ | June 9, 2026 | Doloresz Katanich

[BenLurkin]

A consortium led by Airbus has proposed developing a next-generation fighter jet after the collapse of a high-profile Franco-German warplane programme, one of the companies involved told the AFP news agency on Tuesday.

The move comes a day after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron ended the original project following years of disagreements between the industrial partners.

Munich-based defence electronics company Hensoldt said it had joined forces with Airbus Defence and Space, Autoflug, Diehl Defence, Rohde & Schwarz, Liebherr, MBDA and MTU Aero Engines to draw up an alternative plan.

A company spokesperson said the proposal had been submitted to German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius. The Financial Times, which first reported the initiative, said it had also been sent to Merz's office.

---

TOPICS: European Union; France; Germany
KEYWORDS: airbus; dassault; fighterplane; france; germany

[Leaning Right]

This is actually good news for me. My entry for their new aircraft was rejected.
And rather quickly, I might add.

Now my entry might get another look.
Lose one wing? No problemo.

[thegagline]

Here is an artist’s rendering of the proposed Airbus aircraft followed by an artist rendering of my future wife:

[antidemoncrat]

A French designed fighter jet will probably only fly during peace time.

[TheThirdRuffian]

What’s its mission?

Defending Europe?

Then don’t worry about stealth. Worry about how fast is, how reliable it is, and how fast you can get it off the ground. Radar is a concern but not a huge one.

Attacking a sophisticated country? Then stealth.

[Vaduz]

Now my entry might get another look.

Indeed Iran is looking for some.

[takebackaustin]

Can’t figure out how that might perform without a better view of the tail. But kudos for your attention to your job. Always at his drawing board he is.

[thegagline]

Can’t figure out how that might perform without a better view of the tail. I believe she looks as good coming as going.

[EnderWiggin1970]

The only thing Europe produces these days is plans that don’t come to fruition.

[smokingfrog]

Lucky you.

[Colorado Doug]

Looks pretty stealthy. I don’t see much steel in that. No hardpoints on the wings for bombs either. That must mean that they are all internal. In hindsight, I don’t suppose that the upper three wings would be great places to attach bombs anyway.

[MeanWestTexan]

“my future wife”

All right, Mr. Crypt Keeper. She’s been dead for 50 years.

[If You Want It Fixed - Fix It]

‘We can’t agree with these short knuckleheads on making a warplane together, so how about we make a fighter ject together?
Agree? No???’

‘There is no “Krout” in “Team”.’

‘Nor “Frog”.’