Germany's Merz says new Franco-German air defence data project to be outlined by July


German Chancellor Friedrich Merz tours the International Aerospace Exhibition ILA on the opening day at Schoenefeld Airport in Berlin, Germany, June 10, 2026. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch

BERLIN, June ⁠10 (Reuters) - German Chancellor Friedrich ⁠Merz said on Wednesday that ‌German and French defence ministers will jointly outline a reworked collaboration project ​between the two ⁠countries on air ⁠defence data networksby July.

"Our defence ministers ⁠will ‌now work out how this can ⁠be implemented in the run-up to ​the ‌next Franco-German intergovernmental meeting in ⁠Germany, ​which we will be holding in July," Merz said at ⁠the Berlin air show.

Germany ​and France have pledged to focus on data links between ⁠warplanes and related software known as a "combat cloud" after agreeing to scrap a landmark ​project to jointly ⁠develop an advanced fighter jet ​known as FCAS.

(Reporting ‌by Reuters TV, Ludwig ​Burger and Matthias Williams; editing by Thomas Seythal)

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