A group of eight German defense contractors has formally presented a position paper to the federal government describing their potential contributions to the Future Combat Air System program.
Operating under the name "Team Gen 6," the participants in the submission are Airbus Defence and Space, Autoflug, Diehl Defence, Hensoldt, Liebherr, MBDA, MTU Aero Engines and Rohde & Schwarz. According to information from industry sources, the document was prepared to set out how each company could support the FCAS initiative.
Those same sources emphasized that the submission should not be read as an attempt to create a separate fighter program in the wake of the termination of a prior Franco-German effort to produce a next-generation combat jet. The sources framed the paper as a presentation of capabilities and potential roles rather than the launch of a distinct aircraft project.
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius commented on the situation on Tuesday, saying that FCAS has faced difficulties "for quite some time." He added that the government in Berlin has been engaged in discussions with relevant parties for several months about possible paths forward. Pistorius did not provide further information on who would lead any subsequent effort or what specific actions the government might take next.
The paper from Team Gen 6 and the minister's remarks together signal ongoing deliberations between industry and government on how to proceed with FCAS. At this stage, the submission outlines potential industrial participation, while government officials continue consultations without announcing leadership, timelines or specific follow-up steps.
Contextual note: The companies named in the submission and the minister's quote are the only details available in the material provided. There are no additional disclosures about planned contracts, budgets, or schedules in the document described by industry sources.