France and Germany's Plans for a New Fighter Jet Hang in the Balance Due to Rivalries Within the EU.
French-German cooperation on a next-generation fighter jet, known as Scaf, is at risk of being derailed by bitter internal rivalries between key players Dassault and Airbus. According to Olivier Andriès, chief executive of Safran, the engine manufacturer behind the project, relations between the two companies are "very strained".
The Future Combat Air System (Scaf) aims to create a cutting-edge fighter jet combining stealth technology with advanced electronics and weaponry. However, the French president's office and the German chancellor's office have expressed strong willingness to strike a deal on the project, according to Andriès.
Analysts have long questioned whether separate European projects would duplicate efforts, and it appears that this issue is now coming to a head. The Global Combat Air Programme (Tempest), led by Britain, Italy, Japan, and the US, may pose a threat to Scaf's success.
Despite internal tensions, Andriès notes that cooperation in other areas of the project has been "very smooth". However, the rivalries between Dassault and Airbus could potentially bring the entire EU effort to a standstill.
In related news, Safran is expanding its UK operations as part of its efforts to invest in Britain. The company's electric motors will play an increasing role in developing crucial magnets that are not reliant on rare earth metals, amid growing concerns about supply chain security.
As tensions between rival manufacturers escalate, it remains to be seen whether Scaf can overcome the current obstacles and become a reality.
French-German cooperation on a next-generation fighter jet, known as Scaf, is at risk of being derailed by bitter internal rivalries between key players Dassault and Airbus. According to Olivier Andriès, chief executive of Safran, the engine manufacturer behind the project, relations between the two companies are "very strained".
The Future Combat Air System (Scaf) aims to create a cutting-edge fighter jet combining stealth technology with advanced electronics and weaponry. However, the French president's office and the German chancellor's office have expressed strong willingness to strike a deal on the project, according to Andriès.
Analysts have long questioned whether separate European projects would duplicate efforts, and it appears that this issue is now coming to a head. The Global Combat Air Programme (Tempest), led by Britain, Italy, Japan, and the US, may pose a threat to Scaf's success.
Despite internal tensions, Andriès notes that cooperation in other areas of the project has been "very smooth". However, the rivalries between Dassault and Airbus could potentially bring the entire EU effort to a standstill.
In related news, Safran is expanding its UK operations as part of its efforts to invest in Britain. The company's electric motors will play an increasing role in developing crucial magnets that are not reliant on rare earth metals, amid growing concerns about supply chain security.
As tensions between rival manufacturers escalate, it remains to be seen whether Scaf can overcome the current obstacles and become a reality.
France and Germany have been talking big about their next-gen fighter jet, Scaf, but now Dassault and Airbus are at each other's throats 
. It's like they're more focused on outdoing each other than working together towards a common goal. And that's not good news for the project's chances of success 
.
. It's like they're waiting to see who'll blink first... 
. Fingers crossed that cooler heads prevail and we see a more collaborative approach 
. And with the US and Britain trying to swoop in with their own project, it's like they're all trying to outdo each other in some kind of game of aviation tag 
. Still, I think cooperation on this one could be worth fighting for – we need innovation and progress, not more bickering 
.
The Global Combat Air Programme seems like just another name for "expensive project that might not even happen".
. The world needs more collaboration, not less 
its like they're tryin to make this huge fighter jet thingy happen but theres all these little issues comin out of nowhere 
meh, i guess we'll just have to wait & see if Dassault & Airbus can get their act together... meanwhile safran's doin some cool stuff with electric motors in the uk 
I mean, they're all about being a superpower now but when it comes to something as important as a fighter jet project, they can't even agree on how to proceed. It's like, come on guys! You want to create this cutting-edge Scaf thingy and yet you're too busy fighting amongst yourselves to make it happen. I swear, sometimes I think they should just take a step back and look at the bigger picture... 
. And now it sounds like Dassault and Airbus are at each other's throats, I mean, who needs that kind of drama in the middle of a project 
Dassault and Airbus need to chill out and focus on the bigger picture – the Scaf project could be a game-changer for European defense. 
But at the same time, I can understand why analysts are worried about duplication of efforts... it's like, shouldn't they just work together? 
. i mean, think about it, they're already investing billions in separate projects like Tempest, so why bother with Scaf? maybe it's just a waste of time and resources... or maybe, just maybe, it'll lead to some innovative tech that we can't even imagine yet 
That's what happens when Airbus and Dassault go from copilot to rival fighter jets 
... I mean, think about all the billions of dollars being thrown around for a new fighter jet project and now we're dealing with egos getting in the way? 
. Can't they just put aside their differences and focus on making something that'll actually make Europe safer? 
I mean, I'm no expert but it seems like a lot of money and resources are going down the drain because of internal politics... not cool