France will develop its next-generation combat aircraft as a national programme following the collapse of the Franco-German FCAS partnership. The French Air and Space Force is targeting conventional operations by 2040 and a nuclear deterrence role by 2050.
French Air and Space Force Chief of Staff General Jerome Bellanger outlined the plans during a parliamentary hearing on 14 October. Foreign cooperation on selected technologies remains possible, but Bellanger indicated it would not be fundamental to developing the aircraft.
The report says the Rafale F5 will provide an intermediate step and is expected around 2035. It will incorporate technologies relevant to the ACF, including propulsion, sensors and the Stratus RS weapon intended to suppress enemy air defences.
