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Investing.com -- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated on Wednesday that France and Germany should adhere to existing agreements regarding the joint Franco-German fighter jet FCAS project, following reports that France now seeks an 80% workshare.
Merz revealed he maintains regular communication with French President Emmanuel Macron about the project, which is valued at more than €100 billion ($117 billion) and has faced delays and disputes over workshare and intellectual property rights.
The leaders of Europe’s two largest economies are scheduled to meet in Berlin later this month, according to two sources.
"I am absolutely determined that we stick to the agreements we’ve made with France and Spain regarding FCAS," Merz said during a joint news conference with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
The FCAS project involves France’s Dassault Aviation, Airbus representing Germany, and Indra representing Spain. The initiative aims to begin replacing French Rafale and German and Spanish Eurofighters with a fifth-generation fighter jet from 2040.
Merz acknowledged ongoing disagreements about the consortium’s composition but expressed optimism about resolving these issues.
"The questions regarding the differing views on how this consortium is composed have not yet been resolved," he said. "But I am confident that we will succeed in doing so."
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