As India eyes more Rafale jets, why France is developing Future Combat Air System

Airbus and Dassault Aviation have signed an initial agreement to cooperate on Europe's Future Air Combat System (FCAS), the two companies said on Wednesday.

They are awaiting details from the French and German governments on the exact requirements for the programme, which is set to include a fighter jet, unmanned aerial vehicles, connectivity and secure communications.

"It's a really important moment to stabilise the European defence industry and work together in a structured manner," Airbus Defence and Space CEO Dirk Hoke told reporters at the Berlin air show.

Germany and France have agreed on the central requirements for a new fighter jet to replace Eurofighter Typhoon and Rafale warplanes beginning in 2040, and officials from the two countries will sign an outline document on the sidelines of the show, military sources said on Tuesday.

The two companies want to ensure that Europe retains control over its future weapons systems, Eric Trappier, CEO of Dassault Aviation said.

"I don't feel that if other European countries buy off the shelf American products that you contribute to strategic autonomy," Trappier said.

Whether the French and German governments decide to involve Britain in future projects would likely depend on the conditions around its exit from the European Union, Hoke said.

France is working with Britain on an unmanned combat aerial vehicle, but that project has not yet progressed as expected.

"It was supposed to go up to the extent of joint demonstrator. For some reason this has not yet been decided," Trappier said.

He said the Franco-German cooperation was different, with it being for a larger system for a manned fighter, whereas the Franco-British project was for an unmanned aircraft.

The two companies have not yet announced who will lead the partnership for the Franco-German FCAS. Trappier said they would each decide who had the best skills and competencies to lead each part of the system.

"The role on both sides is to find the right compromises. If we play egos we will end up with a project that won't be successful," Hoke said.

Airbus and Dassault said it was important for France and Germany to launch an initial joint study this year so they could get demonstrators done for 2025.

The fighter aircraft will replace the current generation of Eurofighter and Rafale aircraft.

Trappier said it would not be a copy of the US&nbspF-35 fighter, but would be more ambitious.

Hoke said if Germany decided to buy the F-35 to replace its Tornados, that would mean the FCAS would no longer be feasible.

Germany and France have agreed on the central requirements for a new fighter jet to replace Eurofighter Typhoon and Rafale warplanes beginning in 2040

Airbus and Dassault Aviation have signed an initial agreement to cooperate on Europe's Future Air Combat System (FCAS), the two companies said on Wednesday. They are awaiting details from the French and German governments on the exact requirements for the programme, which is set to include a fighter jet, unmanned aerial vehicles, connectivity and secure communications. "It's a really important moment to stabilise the European defence industry and work together in a structured manner," Airbus Defence and Space CEO Dirk Hoke told reporters at the Berlin air show. Germany and France have agreed on the central requirements for a new fighter jet to replace Eurofighter Typhoon and Rafale warplanes beginning in 2040, and officials from the two countries will sign an outline document on the sidelines of the show, military sources said on Tuesday. The two companies want to ensure that Europe retains control over its future weapons systems, Eric Trappier, CEO of Dassault Aviation said. "I don't feel that if other European countries buy off the shelf American products that you contribute to strategic autonomy," Trappier said. Whether the French and German governments decide to involve Britain in future projects would likely depend on the conditions around its exit from the European Union, Hoke said. France is working with Britain on an unmanned combat aerial vehicle, but that project has not yet progressed as expected. "It was supposed to go up to the extent of joint demonstrator. For some reason this has not yet been decided," Trappier said. He said the Franco-German cooperation was different, with it being for a larger system for a manned fighter, whereas the Franco-British project was for an unmanned aircraft. The two companies have not yet announced who will lead the partnership for the Franco-German FCAS. Trappier said they would each decide who had the best skills and competencies to lead each part of the system. "The role on both sides is to find the right compromises. If we play egos we will end up with a project that won't be successful," Hoke said. Airbus and Dassault said it was important for France and Germany to launch an initial joint study this year so they could get demonstrators done for 2025. The fighter aircraft will replace the current generation of Eurofighter and Rafale aircraft. Trappier said it would not be a copy of the US&nbspF-35 fighter, but would be more ambitious. Hoke said if Germany decided to buy the F-35 to replace its Tornados, that would mean the FCAS would no longer be feasible.

Airbus, Dassault to jointly produce fighter jets, UAVs

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday he wanted France to supplant Britain as New Delhi&#39;s partner of choice in Europe, as he embarked on a four-day tour of India.

Macron, a pro-business centrist who swept to power last year, has been beating the drum for France as a new, modernised &quot;startup nation&quot; on the world stage, while he pushes ahead with a wide-ranging programme of reforms at home.

He has also used Britain&#39;s decision to leave the European Union to pitch France as an investment destination at the heart of the European single market.

&quot;Your historical partner in Europe was the UK, and I want France to become the new partner,&quot; Macron told&nbsp;media&nbsp;in an interview adding&nbsp;&quot;I want France to become the reference partner of the 21st century.&quot;

The 40-year-old president, who is travelling with a delegation of French companies that includes EDF,&nbsp; Dassault Aviation, Schneider Electric&nbsp;and Suez , will also inaugurate a solar plant built by Engie&nbsp;in Uttar Pradesh.

&quot;I think India has to operate much more with Europe and the European Union as a whole. I want France to be its entry point,&quot; Macron said.

&quot;I want your creativity, your entrepreneurship, your young people to be much more present in France. Much more known and recognised. And I want to see the same from the French side.&quot;

India was the third-largest source of foreign direct investment into Britain in 2015, contributing to its position as Europe&#39;s top destination for foreign direct investment, according to official British figures. By comparison, India was only the 30th largest investor in France, according to 2013 Bank of France figures.

Among recent wins for France is India&#39;s purchase of 36 Rafale fighter jets from Dassault in 2016. It beat out the Eurofighter Typhoon, which is built by a European consortium that includes Britain&#39;s BAE Systems.

But talks to sell six new-generation EPR nuclear reactors built by state utility EDF and Areva have dragged on.

Macron, a pro-business centrist who swept to power last year, has been beating the drum for France as a new, modernised 'startup nation' on the world stage

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday he wanted France to supplant Britain as New Delhi's partner of choice in Europe, as he embarked on a four-day tour of India. Macron, a pro-business centrist who swept to power last year, has been beating the drum for France as a new, modernised "startup nation" on the world stage, while he pushes ahead with a wide-ranging programme of reforms at home. He has also used Britain's decision to leave the European Union to pitch France as an investment destination at the heart of the European single market. "Your historical partner in Europe was the UK, and I want France to become the new partner," Macron told media in an interview adding "I want France to become the reference partner of the 21st century." The 40-year-old president, who is travelling with a delegation of French companies that includes EDF, Dassault Aviation, Schneider Electric and Suez , will also inaugurate a solar plant built by Engie in Uttar Pradesh. "I think India has to operate much more with Europe and the European Union as a whole. I want France to be its entry point," Macron said. "I want your creativity, your entrepreneurship, your young people to be much more present in France. Much more known and recognised. And I want to see the same from the French side." India was the third-largest source of foreign direct investment into Britain in 2015, contributing to its position as Europe's top destination for foreign direct investment, according to official British figures. By comparison, India was only the 30th largest investor in France, according to 2013 Bank of France figures. Among recent wins for France is India's purchase of 36 Rafale fighter jets from Dassault in 2016. It beat out the Eurofighter Typhoon, which is built by a European consortium that includes Britain's BAE Systems. But talks to sell six new-generation EPR nuclear reactors built by state utility EDF and Areva have dragged on.

Macron seeks to replace Britain as India's gateway to Europe