Exclusive: Germany seeks more F-35 jets as European fighter program falters, sources say (www.reuters.com)
from schizoidman@lemmy.zip to world@lemmy.world on 19 Feb 08:30
https://lemmy.zip/post/59382135

cross-posted from : lemmy.zip/post/59382082

#world

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biofaust@lemmy.world on 19 Feb 09:56 collapse

Now the question I remain with is: what is the reason of the deadlock on FCAS?

tomiant@piefed.social on 19 Feb 10:23 next collapse

If you think the US meddles in the internal politics of sovereign nations, just imagine the lobbying they do in the military industry.

Voroxpete@sh.itjust.works on 19 Feb 11:17 collapse

Not everything is the US. Germany and France are more than capable of having beef on their own. There a few, uh, notable examples that come to mind.

deliciEsteva@piefed.world on 19 Feb 14:18 collapse

two things can be true at the same time. The US is definitely lobbying and meddling in European affairs big time

Voroxpete@sh.itjust.works on 19 Feb 16:46 collapse

Sure. It’s just probably not the primary cause in this case.

About half of all EU politics is “What are France and Germany arguing about this time?” They’re the old married couple of Europe.

remon@ani.social on 19 Feb 10:47 next collapse

France and Germany are basically arguing over who should lead the project. Also the French want to make the plane carrier capable, which is a requirement no one else involved needs and wants to spend money on.

Skunk@jlai.lu on 19 Feb 11:25 collapse

So, same as last time that led to the Rafale? (aka France saying merde I’ll do my own plane myself)

MrMakabar@slrpnk.net on 19 Feb 11:35 collapse

France Dassault wants 80% of the workshare on FCAS. Germany and Spain absolutly do not like that idea, as they themself want significant shares in the project, including leadership on subsystems. So it currently looks like the entire project breaks up and Airbus builts a plane for Germany and Spain and France goes solo. However Airbus has never fully built a fighter jet(they have been part of Eurofighter though), so it might take time. Obviously buying American F35 is also on the table, as they are the only actually working 5th Gen fighter jets Germany might buy.

It has to be said, that FCAS might still be saved and the F35 purchase is being talked about and nothing more atm.

biofaust@lemmy.world on 19 Feb 14:15 next collapse

Far from me being pro-French (I am from a country where they are not well seen traditionally), but it sounds like they wanted the lead on something on which they brought decisive competencies. The Germans have barely built any weapons for close to 80 years AFAIK.

MrMakabar@slrpnk.net on 19 Feb 14:28 next collapse

Germany had 29% workshare on Eurofighter and Spain 14%. It is not like there is no capability to work on fighter jets.

biofaust@lemmy.world on 19 Feb 17:09 collapse

Not what I was suggesting, but if without the French the project is dead in the water, they had the decisive cut apparently.

MrMakabar@slrpnk.net on 19 Feb 19:05 collapse

The main issue is Dassault and not the French in general. The other parts of the project like the combat cloud and engine development are working out well. So yeah probably multiple aircraft sharing parts and software.

Voroxpete@sh.itjust.works on 19 Feb 17:01 next collapse

The Germans have barely built any weapons for close to 80 years AFAIK.

You are joking, right?

Attacker94@lemmy.world on 19 Feb 19:31 collapse

The Germans have barely built any weapons for close to 80 years AFAIK.

H&K, Rheinmetall, Sig Sauer, & Walther would like to have a word with you.

UnfortunateShort@lemmy.world on 19 Feb 16:34 collapse

There is also the issue that they would have to build at least two variants, because Germany wants a long-range, RTOL fighter, while France wants a nuclear-capable carrier model. Some experts argue they should just build two jets and make them as compatible as possible (parts/weapons/software/comms/etc.)