Belgium will become a new participant in the program to develop a European sixth-generation fighter jet. This was stated by French President Emmanuel Macron.
What is known
Last week, a number of media outlets wrote about Belgium’s desire to join the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) project. There were talks about participating as an observer, that is, without involving industry.
Dassault Aviation CEO Éric Trappier expressed dissatisfaction with Belgium’s potential accession to the FCAS project. The main reason for this, he said, was that Brussels had ordered fifth-generation American F-35 Lightning II fighters.
Emmanuel Macron confirmed that Belgium would receive observer status in the FCAS project, but did not specify what this would mean. The program is currently led by Germany, France, and Spain. Interestingly, last year, despite its participation in FCAS, the German government also ordered an F-35.
The European sixth-generation fighter jet is due in 2040. The reason for the delay is that the three countries could not define their roles in the project for a long time. Britain, Italy, Japan, the United States, and China are to receive their sixth-generation fighters 5 years earlier.
