Tim Martin
The Franco-German-Spanish led Future Combat Air System (FCAS) next generation fighter effort will not be following the approach of the rival Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) by opening up partner nation and industrial collaborations to non-European parties.
GCAP merged the UK Tempest and Japan’s F-X sixth generation fighter programs under an “international coalition” agreement last week, with Italy also a signatory to the new pact. FCAS, on the other hand, will continue as a fully European initiative, according to Airbus officials, at least for the foreseeable future.
Eur-only: FCAS rules out international expansion as it aims for 2029 first flight – Breaking Defense