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France expects to take a “first significant step” in the development of a new European fighter jet with Germany later this month, Defence Minister Florence Parly said in remarks published on Thursday.
...
The new fighter jet aims to replace the Rafale and Eurofighter, rival jets that compete fiercely for global sales.
“We are looking at first delivery by 2040 to replace the Eurofighter and to prepare for a future beyond the Rafale,” the source said.
originally posted by: intrptr
a reply to: anzha
“We are looking at first delivery by 2040..."
Whatever is going to happen will be over by then.
On that note .. if you have a feeling that they are building up to something, one could wonder if 'whatever is going to happen' is being delayed because of all the F-35 issues.
Apart from the defence need, this collaboration is highly political in my opinion. It's about setting an explicitly EU industrial strategy for defence. With the UK now moving away from the EU, an important technological and financial partner may take its future in other directions, and decide not to participate in a programme where they would be a secondary partner, and just be a cash cow.
originally posted by: Forensick
I wonder if France will be planning a carrier force for 2040?
originally posted by: anzha
a reply to: intrptr
That something is going to happen before 2040. That something, I interpreted, as having an effect on Germany and France, since you stated the new aircraft would come too late.