Germany Should Prioritize Uncrewed Combat Aircraft Over Prestige Project

Former Airbus CEO Tom Enders has warned Germany against launching a national fighter program, citing the high costs and timeline. He argues that prioritizing uncrewed combat aircraft is crucial for the Future Combat Air System (FCAS). According to AeroTime, Enders believes the cost of developing a fighter jet would exceed $400 billion. In contrast, he suggests focusing on drones, autonomy, software, AI, and scalable production. This approach may help Germany strengthen its defense capabilities without breaking the bank.