Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury has expressed optimism about the possibility of merging or aligning two separate European programs currently developing next-generation fighter jets and advanced combat air systems. These initiatives, spearheaded by different alliances, have been the subject of speculation regarding their financial and strategic viability.

In December, Britain, Italy, and Japan announced the formation of a joint effort to design and build a stealth fighter jet named the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP). Simultaneously, France, Germany, and Spain are advancing the competing Future Combat Air System (FCAS) project. Defense analysts have long debated whether Europe has the resources or market demand to sustain two parallel initiatives of such scale.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Faury suggested that consolidating efforts or ensuring compatibility between the two programs would be a logical move.

Room for Collaboration

"I think there's really room to do things in a smart way," Faury stated. "Each and every country could contribute its financial and technological capacity to a bigger program for Europe, because that's what we need at the end."

Faury emphasized that while no definitive plans for collaboration exist, budgetary constraints and shared objectives might prompt governments to explore unification in the near future. He projected that discussions could begin within the next few years as technological development phases for both programs conclude.

The Path Toward Integration

According to Faury, the governments involved in FCAS and GCAP will need to convene at the appropriate time to assess the progress and objectives of their respective programs. "The governments ... need to sit down at the point in time when they have a clear view on what is FCAS, what is GCAP, what they want to achieve, and see what they can do better together," he explained.

The anticipated timeline for these discussions coincides with the completion of the initial technology phases for both programs, potentially within the next two years. However, Faury acknowledged that merging such large-scale efforts would be fraught with complexity.

"If you have too many players, it's a difficult thing," he cautioned, underscoring the challenges of coordinating among multiple stakeholders with differing priorities, financial commitments, and technological contributions.

Strategic Implications for Europe

The potential alignment of FCAS and GCAP would mark a significant shift in Europe's defense strategy, allowing the region to pool resources and expertise to compete on a global scale. A unified program could strengthen Europe's position in the advanced combat systems market while addressing concerns about fragmented investments and limited procurement orders.

Yet, bringing the two initiatives together would involve navigating political, industrial, and operational challenges. Differences in timelines, technology roadmaps, and strategic goals would need to be reconciled. Additionally, the integration of players from diverse nations, including non-European partner Japan in GCAP, adds another layer of complexity.