6th Generation Fighter: Germany Emerges as Rival to France After SCAF Abandonment

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz ended the SCAF program on June 8, 2026, confirming the abandonment of the sixth-generation fighter jet project. Germany released a strategic document aiming to become a leader in military aerospace in Europe. A consortium led by Airbus proposed a national program called Team Gen 6, independent from France. The industrial rivalry between Dassault and Airbus blocked the project for nine years, with disagreements over nuclear and naval capabilities.