Germany’s Air Force chief open to alternatives as FCAS fighter faces uncertainty

Germany’s new Air Force chief, Lt. Gen. Holger Neumann, says Berlin is open to alternatives if the Franco-German-Spanish FCAS fighter-jet program continues to face delays and political disputes. In an interview with Der Spiegel, he emphasized that the long-term priority for the Luftwaffe is a highly networked force built around unmanned systems and a combat cloud, rather than the specific design of the next crewed fighter. FCAS consists of several components — the New Generation Fighter, remote-carrier drones, and the combat cloud. Neumann stressed that the combat cloud is the true core of the program, integrating manned aircraft, drones, sensors, and weapons. His comments come as France and Germany reassess whether the joint fighter project can continue as planned, with discussions about scaling it back, replacing it, or pursuing national alternatives if no agreement is reached.