• German and Spanish companies appeal to governments to preserve FCAS expertise.
• FCAS program was dropped due to disagreements between Airbus and Dassault.
• Companies warn of irreversible loss of expertise without continued funding.
• Germany considers options for next-gen fighters, including F-35 purchase or joining GCAP.

The appeal by German and Spanish companies may indicate a desire to maintain European autonomy in sixth-generation fighter development. This could suggest a shift in priorities for European defense spending, with a focus on preserving expertise and intellectual property. The involvement of multiple companies and governments may also indicate a potential for future collaboration on defense projects.