Germany eyes March 2027 decision on next-gen fighter path

Pistorius' timeline and context

Boris Pistorius said he expects a call by the end of March 2027 on forming a new partnership to co-develop a next-generation fighter jet, in comments published Saturday by the Funke Media Group. He linked the effort to the Franco-German FCAS being scrapped earlier this year and added that while Germany's aerospace industry should have a role, it cannot deliver alone. He also noted that firms from Germany are eager to pursue collaboration with partners abroad.

Two routes on the table

"There are two options on the table," the Social Democrat said. The alternative he outlined is a project led by Airbus SE with other European partners, targeting the early 2040s.

During a visit to Japan last month, Chancellor Friedrich Merz raised the prospect of Germany entering the British-Italian-Japanese program in talks with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, noting then that GCAP members had already made substantial progress on the terms of an accord.

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Industry push and who is lining up

Members of the consortium are Airbus Defence and Space, Autoflug, Diehl Defence, Hensoldt, Liebherr, MBDA, MTU Aero Engines, and Rohde & Schwarz, and they conveyed the plan in a formal letter. It also suggested teaming up with defense companies in Spain and Sweden.

The bottom line: If Airbus leads a European alternative, it would aim for the early 2040s.

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