The SCAF, a French-German-Spanish project aimed at developing a connected combat aircraft and drones within a cloud infrastructure, appears to be at a standstill. The project, initiated in 2017, has faced challenges from the beginning due to its complex architecture and focus on maintaining a balance between partners rather than fostering realistic cooperation. As a result, it has accumulated the typical drawbacks of this type of collaboration without yielding significant benefits for France.
The project’s organization has prioritized political balances among the involved nations over a realistic assessment of industrial capabilities. This approach became evident with the entry of Spain into the project in 2019. Despite initial intentions to involve other European countries, the emphasis on symbolic symmetry overshadowed strategic thinking, leading to concerns about the project’s viability.
The complex structure of the project, segmented into “pillars,” has diluted France’s leadership position, with only two pillars under exclusive control of French companies. Tensions escalated in early 2021, particularly concerning the New Generation Fighter (NGF) program. Differences over work allocation and intellectual property rights further strained the collaboration.
Amid disagreements, an agreement was reached in late 2022 to advance to the next phase focusing on designing a demonstrator’s architecture. However, the balance achieved remains fragile, with potential conflicts expected as the project progresses.
The issue of lead contractor for the NGF remains unresolved, with Dassault advocating for a greater role. The response from Airbus, supported by the German and Spanish governments, reflects differing perspectives on project governance and industrial collaboration. As uncertainties loom over the project’s future, Germany’s exploration of alternative partnerships signals a challenging path ahead.
Despite extensive industrial concessions, the project faces governance hurdles, hindering progress towards realizing a unified European defense system. The struggle to define clear leadership and navigate complex partnerships presents a formidable obstacle to achieving the project’s goals, reflecting broader shifts in European defense dynamics.
