France will develop a next-generation combat aircraft, dubbed the Avion de Combat du Futur, as a national project to succeed the Rafale, Air and Space Force chief of staff Jerome Bellanger told the National Assembly’s defense committee on Wednesday. The joint Future Combat Air System with Germany and Spain collapsed earlier this year after years of disputes between Dassault Aviation and Airbus over specifications and industrial control. Bellanger said the aircraft is targeted to fly conventional missions in 2040 and to carry the ASN4G hypersonic nuclear cruise missile in 2050, and that France stays open to cooperation on components such as the combat cloud, but not as a structural joint program.
France to build Rafale successor alone after FCAS collapse
France will develop its next combat aircraft as a national program after the joint FCAS project with Germany and Spain collapsed earlier this year.
Why it matters: The decision formally splits Europe's future fighter effort between a French national jet and the rival British, Italian and Japanese GCAP program.
Data as of Defense News, 2026-10-15, reporting National Assembly defense committee testimony. Single source, developing item.
Sources
- France to go it alone on next-gen combat aircraft after FCAS collapse · Defense News · 2026-10-15