Competition for future Eurofighter replacements arises, pitting Airbus against Dassault
In a significant development, Thomas Pretzl, the chairman of the works council at Airbus Defence and Space in Germany, has called for increased Eurofighter production during a meeting with representatives from Dassault, a French partner of Airbus Defence and Space, and German politics. The meeting took place at the Airbus Defence and Space site in Manching, district of Pfaffenhofen.
Pretzl's appeals were aimed at supporting the air force and the domestic defense industry, as the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) program continues to generate industrial tensions. The Airbus-Dassault relationship within FCAS has a complex history, marked by recurring disputes over leadership, intellectual property, and workload distribution.
Despite Pretzl's appeals, there has been no notable public response from Dassault or French partners specifically addressing his calls for more Eurofighter orders. The French government, heavily invested in FCAS, is reportedly pushing for a "best athlete" approach to ensure the most capable industrial partners lead key pillars of the program.
German officials and industry leaders have expressed concern over the future workload of Airbus sites like Manching. However, there is no clear indication that these appeals have led to new political decisions or orders. The broader French strategy remains focused on FCAS and strategic autonomy, maintaining their reluctance to rely on external suppliers or accept workload shifts that might dilute their influence in joint programs.
In summary, while Pretzl’s statements highlight ongoing industrial and political tensions, there has been no notable public response from Dassault or French partners specifically addressing his appeals for more Eurofighter orders. German political and industrial actors remain attentive to workforce concerns but have not yet acted decisively on additional orders.
[1] Source: Reuters, Bloomberg, and Airbus Defence and Space press releases.
The ongoing discussions about Eurofighter production are centered around addressing workforce concerns at Airbus sites, given the complex history of the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) program. However, there has been no explicit statement from Dassault or French partners regarding increased orders for the Eurofighter, despite Thomas Pretzl's appeals, demonstrating the persisting technology-centered industrial tensions.
