Germany sets mid-April deadline for troubled fighter project with France

Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz and France’s President Emmanuel Macron walk at Alden Biesen castle, on the day of an informal European Union leaders retreat, Belgium, February 12, 2026. REUTERS/Murad Sezer

BERLIN, March 19 (Reuters) - ⁠The German government has set ⁠a mid-April deadline for reaching an ‌agreement with France on the crisis-hit FCAS fighter programme, a government official said on Thursday.

"Germany and ​France have agreed on ⁠a final attempt ⁠at mediation between the industries, to be carried ⁠out ‌by experts," the official said.