The Future Combat Air System (FCAS) was viewed as a key test of European defence cooperation in a more hostile world as President Donald Trump casts doubt on US security commitments to the continent and amid Russia's war in Ukraine.

But Berlin and Paris abandoned the programme this week after months of tension between the two main manufacturers, France's Dassault and Airbus, which represented German and Spanish interests.

Six defence companies said "Spanish industry makes its capacities and resources available to Spain and its possible partners for the development of a new-generation combat system," warning: "we cannot afford to waste more time."

The uncertainty "threatens to compromise not only the knowledge, resources and capacities of the participating companies, but also the stability of their partners and supply chains", the firms said in a joint declaration.

Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles called the failure of FCAS "very worrying for Europe and for Europe's strategic autonomy", saying industry interests had prevailed over those of European security.

An Airbus-led alliance involving German companies has launched a consortium with the aim of replacing FCAS.

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INDRA SISTEMAS

Dassault Aviation

Airbus Group