June 14, 2026, 6:02 pm
International cooperation in defence is one way to potentially combine national strengths, share costs, and build the kind of systems that individual nations might struggle to match.
At its best, it can produce world standard kit and help equip multiple allies.
At its worst, it can see billions expended and years wasted to ultimately not even come close to producing a functional fighter.
Guess which of those is more applicable here.
Today I discuss the impacts of the collapse in FCAS/SCAF and what it might mean mean for the countries involved, the broader 6th gen race and the other large partly European 6th program as it fights funding battles of its own.
Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/PerunAU
Reading and Sourcing (Partial):
Germany and France drop joint fighter jet project
https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/german-french-leaders-unable-resolve-fcas-fighter-jet-dispute-sources-say-2026-06-08/
Open letter by former UK Defence Secretary John Healey
https://x.com/JohnHealey_MP/status/2065028766540145140/photo/2
F-47 infographic and combat radius (2025)
https://www.defenseone.com/defense-systems/2025/05/f-47-will-almost-double-f-22s-combat-radius-air-force-says/405309/
F-47 Won’t Be Available Until Mid-2030s
F-47 could see multiple versions built (2025)
https://www.twz.com/air/f-47-fighter-program-could-see-multiple-versions-built-in-increments
SCAF to fly from carriers (2019)
Dassault confirms the Future Combat Air System will operate from aircraft carriers
Franco-German fighter effort collapses
https://www.twz.com/air/franco-german-future-fighter-effort-collapses-over-irreconcilable-differences
Interview with Combined Team Project Director (2023)
Discussion of SCAF collapse
https://theconversation.com/germany-pulled-the-plug-on-flagship-fcas-fighter-jet-the-implications-for-european-defence-are-worrying-285090
https://theconversation.com/what-the-failed-next-generation-fighter-jet-deal-means-for-european-defence-284896
Airbus looks to SAAB as sixth generation plans unravel
https://www.twz.com/air/airbus-looks-to-swedens-saab-as-europes-sixth-gen-fighter-plans-unravel
Reporting on PRC’s GJ-11
https://www.twz.com/air/chinas-gj-11-mysterious-dragon-stealth-drone-soars-out-of-the-shadows
Germany would be a strong GCAP partner – Leonardo
https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/germany-would-be-strong-partner-gcap-fighter-project-leonardo-ceo-says-2026-06-09/
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2026/06/10/germany-welcome-in-gcap-but-new-leonardo-boss-warns-about-timing/
Tempest aims for extreme range
https://www.twz.com/air/tempest-future-fighter-aims-for-really-extreme-range-twice-f-35-payload
Reporting on Tempest Effectors
https://www.twz.com/air/uk-emphasizes-need-to-arm-tempest-stealth-fighter-with-larger-longer-range-air-to-air-missiles
Reporting on rumoured delays to Tempest funding
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/05/30/typhoon-fighter-replacement-years-delay/
Reporting on SCAF collapse
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/feb/20/france-germany-fighter-jet-of-the-future-fcas
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckg02541ykpo
Mertz calls for more independence from the United States
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/24/friedrich-merz-germany-europe-independence-from-us
TASS – Russia’s Sukhoi comes up with 6th gen fighter designs (2016)
https://tass.com/defense/860142
Reporting on F/A-XX
https://www.twz.com/air/northrop-defends-ability-to-build-f-a-xx-6th-gen-naval-fighters-if-selected
Airbus drone presentation 2022
https://x.com/GarethJennings3/status/1592841205339262977
Caveats & Comments:
All normal caveats and comments apply. In particular – I would like to note as always that this material has been created for entertainment purposes and is not intended to be a complete or comprehensive examination of the topic in question and should not be relied upon to inform financial or any other decision, evaluation, or similar.
Any content relating to the conduct, views, activities or any aspect of any person or character in this video is included for entertainment purposes and does not represent an assertion of fact on those matters or any matters in relation to that person or character.
Care has been taken in compiling data, quotes, and other inputs from various sources but errors can occur. Quotes and included data should be considered illustrative, not definitive and their veracity should not be relied on.
Timestamps:
00:00:00 — Intro
00:01:43 — What Am I Talking About?
00:02:13 — the Sixth Gen Race
00:11:32 — SCAF: The Dream
00:15:03 — Clash Points
00:29:40 — What Next? France
00:37:18 — What Next? Germany
00:41:45 — Turning to Tempest?
00:56:46 — What Next? Spain
00:58:21 — the Sixth Gen Race Today
01:00:59 — Channel Update
Content Creator – Perun
