In June 2026, it was reported that Germany was officially terminating its troubled Future Combat Air System (FCAS) 6th-generation fighter jet program with France. Now Germany is left in a quandary about how to proceed. In the interim, it is purchasing Eurofighter Typhoons into the 2030s and is considering purchasing more F-35As (first expected to be delivered in 2026).

Beyond that, Germany is urgently developing advanced “Jagdbomberdrohne” (fighter-bomber drones) combat drones ahead of loyal wingman drones. But then Germany faces the question of a flagship frontline 6th-generation fighter jet. Broadly speaking, its post-FCAS options are to join the GCAP/Tempest program (likely as a partner), lead the development of a new 6th-generation fighter with Sweden and/or Spain, or rely on F-35s operating alongside future autonomous aircraft into the 2050s without a European next-generation fighter.

Why FCAS Failed

Credit: Airbus Defense

The FCAS program was announced in 2017 as a joint European effort to develop a 6th-generation fighter jet. It was to boost European integration, cooperation, and sovereignty. An important note is that there is no universally agreed-upon definition of a “6th” generation fighter. The term “6th generation” is part marketing ploy, part clickbait, part shorthand, and partly useful. The real world is much messier. For example, the “4.5th” generation F-15EX likely has more advanced avionics, sensors, and networking than the “5th” generation stealthy/low observable Russian Su-57.

FCAS included three core countries: Germany (Airbus), France (Dassault), and Spain (Indra). In some ways, FCAS reflected the earlier 1980s Eurofighter program, where France initially joined the project but then split off, went its own way, and independently developed the Rafale. France-specific factors include France’s emphasis on strategic autonomy and its different requirements (e.g., a carrier-capable variant). In 2025, it was reported that Dassault was demanding an 80% workshare and essentially to take control of the program.

While it’s unclear whether the 80% reporting is entirely accurate, Germany’s Airbus found it unacceptable. From the German point of view, Germany would be reduced to a supporting role, essentially funding a French fighter jet. Spain seems to have been largely sidelined in the arguments. Trust between Dassault and Airbus broke down, and almost no real work was done on the jet for over a year. The national governments tried to reconcile the industries, but in June, Germany decided it was impossible and that FCAS is just delaying Germany’s acquisition of a next-gen fighter.

Why Germany Is Purchasing More Eurofighters

Credit: Airbus

In October 2025, the Eurofighter Consortium reported that the German Air Force had ordered another 20 Tranche 5 Eurofighter jets, which are expected to be delivered between 2031 and 2034. This is in addition to the 38 Eurofighters already ordered by Germany as part of Project Quadriga. There are several reasons why Germany is ordering these fighter jets.

One reason is that Germany has been jolted by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and is now rearming and plans to be ready for war by 2029. Germany continues to rely on an aging fleet of Panavia Tornado swing-wing fighters that need to be retired. The new Eurofighters offer a generational leap over the legacy Tornados.

Another major reason is that these Eurofighters are built in Germany (with extensive input from the UK, Italy, and Spain). If Germany wishes to develop a 6th-generation fighter jet, it is imperative that its fighter jet industry runs. If orders were to dry up, then factories would be shut down, supply chains would be disrupted, engineers would move on, and know-how would be lost. It is critical for the UK, Germany, France, and Italy to continue producing 4th-generation fighters until their industries can switch over to 6th-generation fighters.

Purchasing More F-35s As Bridge Aircraft

Credit: Department of Defense

Despite all the negative press around the F-35, the jet is currently the most capable fighter jet on the market by a considerable margin. It is the only aircraft in its class, as the leaked Canadian competition of the F-35A vs Saab Gripen + GlobalEye demonstrated (scoring 95% vs 33%, respectively). Importantly, the F-35 is an important enabler for 4th-generation fighter jets. Even a moderate number of F-35s in operation can significantly boost the capabilities of Eurofighters and other jets.

In the Royal Air Force service, the Eurofighter (Typhoon) is called the “thug,” while the F-35B is dubbed the “assassin.” Another reason why Germany needs to purchase at least a few F-35As is that Germany participates in NATO’s nuclear sharing. It needs an aircraft able to carry the US B61 nuclear gravity bombs as the Tornado jets retire.

The F-35 is seen as an important bridge aircraft, able to fill the gap between today’s aging German jets and future European 6th-generation jets expected in the 2040s. Germany has a firm order for 35 F-35As, and there has been reporting that Germany will order another 15. However, Reuters reported in February 2026 that Germany was considering doubling its order to 70 F-35As, while stressing no final decision had been made. The collapse of FCAS makes it more likely that Germany will increase its F-35 purchase.

Germany’s GCAP/Tempest Option

Credit: BAE Systems

One of the primary options for Germany is to join the former rival of FCAS, the GCAP/Tempest 6th-generation fighter jet program. This is an effort being undertaken by the UK, Italy, and Japan. However, while the UK has said it would welcome Germany to join, Japan is known to be sensitive about any delays from renewed negotiations and wants it in service by 2035.

The biggest issue is that GCAP is already advanced in its development cycle, with major worksharing agreements already settled. The first demonstrator is already in production by BAE Systems. This makes it very difficult to accommodate a large industrial partner like Germany, and it makes it unlikely that Germany can join as an equal.

It seems more likely Germany can contribute financially and support programs like the Combat Cloud, Loyal Wingman drones, and other related systems, but less to the core aircraft. It is unclear whether this will be acceptable to Germany, which wants to preserve its own fighter jet industry. This is a big reason for quitting FCAS. GCAP potentially offers the best sovereign European solution with a reasonable timeline. The jet is optimistically planned to enter service within ten years.

Germany’s Saab Option

Credit: Department of Defense

Another option for Germany is to build a new fighter jet with Sweden’s Saab. Saab produces the JAS 39 Gripen fighter. This option, again, has a number of benefits and issues. On the one hand, it offers a major workshare for the German industry and is a project that Germany could likely lead. German industry already cooperates with Saab and has expressed satisfaction with the collaboration (as opposed to Dassault).

However, this would be an expensive and risky project. Producing a true 6th-generation fighter is enough to tax the aerospace industry of any country (other than the US and China) to its core. These are massive make-or-break projects. The UK, Italy, and Japan are all G7 countries with advanced aerospace industries, and GCAP is already straining their industries and budgets.

Importantly, studies have suggested there is only enough demand for two next-generation European fighter jets. France’s Dassault is expected to go its own way and develop a next-generation 5+ or 6th-generation fighter jet, and then there’s GCAP. It is unclear if it’s feasible for Germany to develop a third fighter. In June 2026, Reuters reported that Germany’s Airbus is leaning toward Saab as its preferred partner.

Other Options & Complications

Credit: Helsing

In all these discussions, Spain is often sidelined, but with FCAS now dead, it’s unclear what Spain will do. Germany has an option to produce a fighter with Spain without France. Alternatively, it’s unclear if Germany can build a coalition with Spain and Sweden. There are other voices suggesting that extremely expensive, make-or-break fighter jets that take decades to develop are not a wise investment.

Some suggest that by mid-century, unmanned platforms will take over from manned fighters or will just represent a better investment given the required time and resources. The US’s Shield AI defense contractor has unveiled its X-Bat tail-sitting VTOL autonomous combat aircraft, which it markets as a true unmanned fighter jet rather than a combat drone complement to a traditional fighter. Overall, the US is considered to have a massive lead in the development of unmanned combat aircraft, including loyal wingman drones.

That said, Germany’s unmanned combat aircraft development is also considerable. Germany has an urgent requirement for 400 combat drones. These include “Jagdbomberdrohne”, aka “fighter-bomber-drones,” to enter service starting in 2029 as a precursor to more capable loyal wingman drones. US contractors like Kratos, Anduril, and General Atomics are announcing partnerships for variants of their aircraft to be built in Germany. But Germany is also one of the few countries with advanced homegrown, high-end combat drone programs. Most notably, these include the Helsing CA-1 Europa (first flight expected 2027) and the recently unveiled Airbus U760 Ravenstorm (expected in the early 2030s).