The SCAF program (Système de combat aérien du futur), an emblematic project of Franco-German defense cooperation joined by l’Espagne, is abandoned. This brutal halt puts an end to years of industrial tensions and political blockades, despite the efforts of President Emmanuel Macron to save this pillar of European strategic autonomy.
An insoluble governance conflict
At the heart of the failure lies an insoluble governance conflict between the two main prime contractors, Dassault Aviation and Airbus. While Dassault, drawing on its historical expertise, obtained the leadership of the combat aircraft pillar (New Generation Fighter – NGF), Airbus, representing German and Spanish interests, accounts for two-thirds of the overall program. This distribution, deemed unbalanced by the French manufacturer, paralyzed any positive progress on the project.
This inflexible position illustrates the refusal of Dassault to see its leadership diluted. Despite joint mediation led by Emmanuel Macron and Friedrich Merz, the two industrialists proved irreconcilable.
As a result, the program remained frozen at phase 1B (technological studies), without ever launching phase 2, which is crucial for the development of a demonstrator.
On the side of Airbus, the group has always demanded compliance with the initial agreements, refusing the status of a mere subcontractor to Dassault. The breach of trust seems complete, as evidenced by a letter sent by Michael Schoellhorn, head of Airbus Defence & Space, to the Élysée.
L'Allemagne ready to go it alone
This industrial impasse coincides with the determination of l’Allemagne to go it alone and invest massively in its defense. Berlin, which dedicated around €86 billion to this sector in 2025, aims to exceed 100 billion from 2026 and reach nearly €153 billion annually by 2029. A colossal budget that could fund a national or alternative solution.
The question of leadership according to Dassault
During the presentation of his group's 2025 annual results, Eric Trappier rejected accusations of non-compliance with contractual commitments, refocusing the debate on the question of leadership. He recalled that the project was based on French leadership and Dassault's prime contractorship for the NGF, an architecture validated by the three governments.
The CEO argued that a program of this scale required “a real leader,” accusing Airbus of not respecting the original agreement.
Dassault's expertise, proven from the Ouragan aircraft in the 1950s to the global success of the Rafale, developed alone, constitutes its main argument. The failure of the SCAF marks a setback for the autonomy and effectiveness of European defense.
Bernard Bertucco Van Damme