PARIS - Talks between France and Germany over the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) could lead to a dramatic shift in the program’s direction, the Financial Times reported on Monday, which could include dropping plans to build a fighter jet.

FCAS is intended to deliver a new, sixth-generation combat aircraft to the French and German Air Forces, to operate alongside a teamed unmanned system. Dassault and Airbus have led development on the aircraft, which has been expected to be ready for production by the late 2030s or early 2040s.

Workshare disputes between the industrial partners have threatened the project’s progress, however. Over the summer months, various media outlets reported that Dassault and Airbus had encountered significant disagreements over the assignment of work, prompting French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to meet to discuss saving the fighter jet program.

Instead, the FT reported, the FCAS partners may narrow the program to focusing exclusively on only one pillar of the program, the creation of a joint combat cloud network. Airbus, Thales, and Indra were expected to collaborate on that pillar of FCAS.

Sources stressed to the FT that no final decision has been made as of yet. One of the sources said, "All the other elements [of FCAS] are working well. Why would we stop doing that? There is no need for FCAS to founder completely -- there is a need for a combat cloud system."

Source: FT
Associated URL: https://www.ft.com/content/e0cc4893-d1c3-45a4-9e3e-d35cedd4b46d

ATHENS, Greece -- The Greek government and French shipbuilder Naval Group have inked a contract for the delivery of a fourth Defense and Intervention (FDI) frigate. The deal also covers maintenance for the new vessel and capability enhancements for the four ships. The order exercises the option for a fourth frigate included in Greece's 2022 order for the original three.

The first three Greek FDI ships are all currently under construction, with the lead ship planned for delivery by the end of 2025. The recently ordered fourth frigate is expected to be commissioned in 2029.

Source: European Defense Review
Associated URL: https://www.edrmagazine.eu/greece-orders-a-fourth-fdi-frigate-to-naval-group

Krakow, Poland -- Hanwha Aerospace has delivered a new batch of 21 K9A1 155mm self-propelled howitzers to Poland. The latest shipment pushes the total number of K9 howitzers in service with the Polish Armed Forces to more than 200.

K9 shipments to Poland are expected to continue through 2026.

Source: Defence Industry Europe
Associated URL: https://defence-industry.eu/south-koreas-hanwha-aerospace-delivers-more-than-200-k9-self-propelled-howitzers-to-poland/