German lawmaker says Berlin could leave Franco-German jet project

FILE PHOTO: Members of the military work on PA-200 Tornado combat aircraft at an air base of German army Bundeswehr, in Buechel, Germany, July 18, 2024. REUTERS/Thilo Schmuelgen/File Photo

BERLIN (Reuters) -The German government must swiftly decide whether to proceed with the development of a Franco-German fighter jet or leave the project, a prominent member of the German parliament's defence committee told Reuters on the eve of high-level talks.

Berlin blames French industry for blocking the next phase in the development of the FCAS program by demanding sole leadership of the project, Reuters reported on Tuesday.