On February 20, 2026, the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) program, a collaborative effort among France, Germany, and Spain, is facing a critical breakdown as German Chancellor Friedrich Merz declared that the €100 billion initiative 'no longer worked for him.' He emphasized that the challenges are 'not a political dispute, but a technical one,' reflecting the deepening rift over the jet's specifications. France's requirement for a fighter capable of carrying nuclear weapons and launching from aircraft carriers sharply contrasts with Germany's differing needs. This discord is particularly alarming given the escalating threat from Russia, as the program's collapse occurs at a high-stakes moment for European defense. The situation is compounded by Germany's decision to accelerate negotiations for over 35 additional F-35 fighter jets from the United States, potentially increasing its fleet to around 85 aircraft, each costing over $80 million, thereby deepening its reliance on American military technology.