Belgium cannot expect to join France, Germany, and Spain in developing Europe’s Future Combat Air System (FCAS) project if it proceeds with purchasing US-made F-35 fighter jets, Dassault Aviation CEO Éric Trappier said, according to Euractiv.
Trappier, head of the FCAS programme’s major contractor, made the statement on Tuesday during the company’s quarterly financial results presentation. The French aviation executive emphasised that a commitment to procuring locally-produced defence equipment is a major criterion for participating in the fighter jet programme.
If [Belgium] gives up the idea of buying F-35s, they’d be welcome, if they are not, then that’s really making a monkey out of us.
Trappier views Belgium’s recently announced plan as fundamentally incoherent. On Friday, the Belgian government signalled its intention to participate in the French-German-Spanish FCAS programme while simultaneously planning an air force equipped with both the US 5th generation F-35 fighter jets and the future FCAS aircraft, which is only anticipated to be operational by 2040.
The Dassault Aviation CEO noted the contradiction, suggesting the Belgians seek the economic benefits and jobs generated by the FCAS programme work “but will buy from the US”. Trappier also denied reports that France was demanding the major share of the work for the 6th generation FCAS fighter jet.
We’re not requesting 80% of the work.
The comments come amidst acknowledged discord between the key partners. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz recently referenced difficulties with Paris over FCAS.
High-level discussions are imminent, with French President Emmanuel Macron scheduled to meet Merz in Berlin on Wednesday, followed by a meeting of their respective defence ministers the next day.
