The collapse of Europe’s Future Combat Air System has brought a new initiative to the continent’s defense industry. An eight-company consortium led by Airbus is embarking on developing a sixth-generation fighter jet in Berlin.
The alliance, named Team Gen 6, is planned to be officially launched on Thursday in Berlin. The signing ceremony is expected to take place during the ILA air show in Germany’s capital, where further details will be announced.
This initiative emerged immediately after Berlin and Paris abandoned the FCAS project on Monday, following months of tension between Airbus and French manufacturer Dassault. FCAS, launched in 2017 and joined by Spain in 2019, had become one of the flagship projects of European defense cooperation.
Airbus announced that the companies have presented a position paper outlining their vision for the sixth-generation fighter jet to German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius. According to the document, the consortium is requesting the German government to award contracts fully and on time by the second half of 2026.
A source close to the project indicated that the agreement could even be secretly signed by participating companies as early as Wednesday. However, the official progress and timeline will be clarified at the ceremony in Berlin.
Alongside Airbus, Team Gen 6 includes European missile manufacturer MBDA and six German companies: Hensoldt, Diehl Defence, MTU Aero Engines, Liebherr, Autoflug, and Rohde & Schwarz. Leadership within the consortium is expected to be largely based in Germany.
On Tuesday, Boris Pistorius described the project as feasible and a viable option. He also noted that Berlin is considering alternatives such as acquiring additional US-made F-35 fighter jets or participating in other aircraft development programs.
Pistorius added that discussions with various stakeholders have been ongoing for months. Problems within FCAS peaked in summer 2025 when Dassault demanded greater control over the program, disappointing politicians in Berlin and Airbus executives.
The fate of FCAS is closely watched amid Europe’s efforts to strengthen its military capabilities in response to increasing security threats from Russia. The new initiative has further highlighted the question of the path Europe will take in defense aviation.
