Dassault Aviation could pursue new partnerships for a future combat aircraft following the collapse of the fighter element of the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), with CEO Eric Trappier indicating that potential partners would not necessarily have to come from Europe.
Speaking before a French Senate committee on Wednesday, Trappier said Dassault remained willing to cooperate on major defense programs, provided industrial responsibilities and governance were clearly defined from the outset. His remarks came weeks after France, Germany and Spain abandoned the fighter portion of FCAS following a prolonged dispute between Dassault and Airbus over workshare and program leadership.
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Trappier said France could develop a next-generation fighter independently, as it did after leaving the Eurofighter program in the 1980s, but added that international cooperation remained an option. Asked whether future partners would have to be European, he replied that the question remained open.
The comments fuel speculation that France could seek a new industrial partner for the successor to the Rafale. Saab has frequently been mentioned by analysts because of its experience with the Gripen program, although neither company has announced discussions. Trappier also said Dassault expects to receive a development contract for the Rafale F5 standard before the end of the year if the current schedule is to be maintained.
Eurodrone dispute deepens
The Dassault chief also confirmed that relations with Airbus have deteriorated in the Eurodrone program, saying the European aerospace group had attempted to remove Dassault from the multinational project.
According to Trappier, Airbus told Dassault to leave the program after France decided not to proceed with its planned acquisition of the medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aircraft. He said discussions continue, but described relations within the program as broken.
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Reuters reported last month that Dassault is seeking compensation from Airbus over the reduced industrial role it would receive following the change in the French procurement plan.
The dispute adds another point of friction between Europe's two largest aerospace manufacturers only weeks after the collapse of FCAS. Airbus has declined to comment on Trappier's latest remarks.
The Eurodrone, developed jointly by France, Germany, Italy and Spain, is intended to provide a European alternative to imported MALE unmanned aircraft such as the General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper. Earlier this week, Airbus also announced a partnership with Japan to study a maritime surveillance variant of the platform, despite uncertainty surrounding the original program.
