Paris, October 16 – France will develop its next-generation combat aircraft nationally after the FCAS project with Germany and Spain collapsed. Air and Space Force Chief Jérôme Bellanger announced the Avion de Combat du Futur (ACF) as the Rafale successor, aiming for conventional missions by 2040. This ensures France retains advanced air combat strength and full strategic autonomy in its national defense.
FCAS ended in June due to disputes on specifications and industrial leadership between Dassault Aviation and Airbus. Progress in stealth, drones, connectivity and combat cloud technologies will transfer to the new ACF national program. Dassault, Safran and Thales hold the know-how to develop the fighter well below €50 billion, according to CEO Éric Trappier.
The ACF must carry the ASN4G hypersonic nuclear cruise missile from 2050, requiring conventional flight capability by 2040. National development enables France to meet nuclear deterrence timelines without joint project delays. Limited cooperation is possible but will not be structural to this aircraft.
France will continue with Germany on the combat cloud for interoperability between European systems. By 2035, the Rafale F5 will include early ACF elements such as engines, sensors and the Stratus RS missile. Building on FCAS progress, France advances independently toward its next-gen combat aircraft.