What Europe’s failed joint fighter jet project means for defense
June 13, 2026
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GZERO Europe
Watch insights on the latest news about Europe from Carl Bildt, Co-Chair of the European Council on Foreign Relations and former Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Sweden.
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In this episode of GZERO Europe, Carl Bildt considers what the collapse of the joint French-German-Spanish fighter aircraft project means for European defense.
Bildt says the collaboration failed because of France and Germany's differing strategic needs: France aimed to develop “a small aircraft that could go on their aircraft carrier,” while Germany wanted a heavier, longer-range platform.
The result, Bildt says, is a period of “disarray” as Europe debates how to move forward. With the UK already pursuing a separate fighter project with Italy and Japan, the collapse raises broader questions about Europe’s defense industrial base, its ability to build common capabilities, and whether manned aircraft will still be central to warfare in a few decades.
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