France and Germany's Fighter Jet Program (FCAS) Is Dead

Peter Zeihan 5 min

Europe's abandonment of its joint fighter jet program prevents Germany from building the independent military power needed to threaten its neighbors. The decision to cancel the program is positive because it ensures Germany remains economically strong but militarily contained.

Chapters

  1. 0:00

    The Failure of the FCAS Program

    France and Germany abandoned their joint fifth-generation fighter jet program due to conflicting state control desires and logistical difficulties. Europe now lags behind in fifth-generation technology, forcing reliance on the US F-35 or leaving them without an indigenous option.

  2. 2:21

    The Strategic Value of German Weakness

    Germany's inability to build its own air force prevents it from becoming a dominant military power that threatens neighbors.

  3. 4:23

    The Conclusion on European Stability

    The failure of the program is positive because it ensures Germany remains economically strong but militarily contained.

Key points

  • 0:00

    France and Germany abandoned their joint fifth-generation fighter jet program in early June.

  • 0:00

    Conflicting state control desires made collaboration between France and Germany impossible for this project.

  • 0:00

    Logistical difficulties in transporting wings across multiple countries made the program a disaster.

  • 0:00

    Europe now lags behind in fifth-generation technology, forcing reliance on the US F-35.

  • 0:00

    There may be no indigenous European fifth-generation jet available in the near future.

  • 0:00

    The US government is viewed by Europe as a security threat rather than a guarantor.

  • 2:21

    Germany must have an indigenous defense industry to be considered an independent power.

  • 2:21

    A strong German military could lead to conflict with neighbors like France, Poland, and Sweden.

  • 2:21

    Germany's inability to project military power makes it less threatening to its European neighbors.

  • 4:23

    The failure of the program helps prevent Germany from becoming a dominant military force in Europe.

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