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https://voennoedelo.com/en/posts/id16290-europe-s-stealth-fighter-rift-deepens-as-f-35-gains

Europe’s Stealth Fighter Rift Deepens as F-35 Gains

Franco-German Stealth Fighter Project Faces Rift as F-35 Dominates NATO Market

Europe’s Stealth Fighter Rift Deepens as F-35 Gains

Military Watch Magazine reports that Paris-Berlin disputes are stalling Europe’s next-generation stealth fighter as NATO states rely more on the F-35.

2026-05-26T21:43:02+03:00

2026-05-26T21:43:02+03:00

2026-05-26T21:43:02+03:00

Observers at the American magazine Military Watch Magazine have pointed to mounting problems facing the Franco-German project to develop a next-generation stealth fighter. According to the publication, the main obstacle lies in deep disagreements between Paris and Berlin. Mike Schoellhorn, head of Airbus Defence and Space, said that equipping the aircraft with nuclear weapons would require major compromises from the countries involved. From an engineering standpoint, he made clear, this has always been considered one of the most difficult tasks in combat aircraft design. Schoellhorn also noted that the program was launched before the conflict in Ukraine entered its active phase. At that time, European defense spending was far lower. Since then, approaches to the development of combat aviation have changed, while France and Germany have become less willing to make concessions. As a possible way out of the deadlock, Schoellhorn suggested creating a two-seat version of the fighter tailored to the requirements of each country, while keeping the aircraft as unified as possible. According to Military Watch Magazine, European countries are now becoming increasingly dependent on the American F-35, which remains the only latest-generation fighter compatible with NATO requirements. The aircraft continues to win tenders, leaving European competitors with little room to challenge it.

stealth fighter, Franco-German fighter, Military Watch Magazine, F-35, NATO fighter, Airbus Defence and Space, Paris, Berlin, European defense, next-generation fighter

2026

William Moore

news

Franco-German Stealth Fighter Project Faces Rift as F-35 Dominates NATO Market

Jim Bahn, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

William Moore, Editor

00:43 27-05-2026

Military Watch Magazine reports that Paris-Berlin disputes are stalling Europe’s next-generation stealth fighter as NATO states rely more on the F-35.

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Observers at the American magazine Military Watch Magazine have pointed to mounting problems facing the Franco-German project to develop a next-generation stealth fighter. According to the publication, the main obstacle lies in deep disagreements between Paris and Berlin.

Mike Schoellhorn, head of Airbus Defence and Space, said that equipping the aircraft with nuclear weapons would require major compromises from the countries involved. From an engineering standpoint, he made clear, this has always been considered one of the most difficult tasks in combat aircraft design.

Schoellhorn also noted that the program was launched before the conflict in Ukraine entered its active phase. At that time, European defense spending was far lower. Since then, approaches to the development of combat aviation have changed, while France and Germany have become less willing to make concessions.

As a possible way out of the deadlock, Schoellhorn suggested creating a two-seat version of the fighter tailored to the requirements of each country, while keeping the aircraft as unified as possible.

According to Military Watch Magazine, European countries are now becoming increasingly dependent on the American F-35, which remains the only latest-generation fighter compatible with NATO requirements. The aircraft continues to win tenders, leaving European competitors with little room to challenge it.