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French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will meet to discuss the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) fighter program at the EU summit on March 19-20. The €100 billion project, involving Spain, aims to create a next-generation air combat system by 2040.

However, tensions between Dassault Aviation and Airbus over project control and governance threaten its continuation. Dassault seeks more authority over the core fighter's development, while Airbus advocates for maintaining existing partnerships.

The outcome of this meeting is crucial, as failure of the FCAS could reshape alliances in Europe's defense sector. Germany is also involved in the competing GCAP project with the UK, Japan, and Italy.