Belgium will become a new participant in the development program of the European sixth generation fighter. About it
What is known
Last week we wrote about Belgium’s desire to join the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) project. Discussions were held about participation as an observer, i.e. without involving industry.
Dassault Aviation CEO EricTrappier expressed dissatisfaction with Belgium's potential accession to the FCAS project. He said the main reason was that Brussels ordered American fifth-generation fighters F-35 Lightning II.
Emmanuel Macron confirmed that Belgium will receiveobserver status in the FCAS project, but did not specify what that would mean. Germany, France and Spain are currently leading the program. Interestingly, last year the German government, despite participating in FCAS, also ordered the F-35.
European sixth generation fighterappear in 2040. The reason for the delay is that the three countries could not determine their roles in the project for a long time. Britain, Italy, Japan, the US and China should receive their sixth generation fighters 5 years earlier.