A France, Germany, and Spain
meeting on the €100 billion European fighter jet program was postponed amid
France’s deepening political crisis.
According to the spokeswoman Thursday evening, the three nations' defense ministers were supposed to meet in mid-October to try to overcome the challenges preventing the project's next phase, known as FCAS.
However, departing Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu resigned along with his government on Monday, only hours after announcing the cabinet lineup, leaving France with only a caretaker government. In less than two years, French President Emmanuel Macron is currently looking for his sixth prime minister.
"I confirm that the meeting is not taking place mid-October any more,"
the spokesperson said.
"We would like to schedule it as quickly as possible when there is a new French defense minister."
There was no quick response from Macron's administration.
Dassault Aviation of France, Airbus, and Indra are part of the plan to begin replacing the German and Spanish Eurofighters, as well as the French Rafale, with sixth-generation fighter jets starting in 2040.
When will the postponed trilateral meeting likely be rescheduled?
The trilateral ministerial meeting
that was delayed regarding the future of the European fighter jet project,
which includes France, Germany, and Spain, is likely to be scheduled as soon as
the political crisis in France stabilizes and a new prime minister is
appointed.
There has not yet been an announced date for a rescheduled meeting, but these meetings generally take place when the timing is politically convenient for those involved.
With France now in a caretaker government, the expectation may be that this meeting will take place in early 2026 after the new French government has formed and is ready to engage fully.