Thread by @elisabethmalom1

🧵Latest: We can now reveal that #Belgium has reportedly been in talks with #FCAS stakeholders regarding an “observer status for the time being,” rather than fully acceding to the program. The Belgian MoD did not respond to requests for comment.
defensenews.com/air/2023/06/16…

2. The CEO of #Dassault Aviation, Éric Trappier, has made it known he’s against expanding FCAS to include other countries involved in the #F35 program, even if they are European. However, he has not ruled out the possibility of governments joining as observer nations.

3. Trappier made the following remarks at a hearing session on France’s 2024-2030 Military Programming Law held last month. “I don’t really see the point in putting more F35 countries into the program. Why would I make room in my factory for people who have chosen the F-35?”

4. In response to Trappier’s comments, Belgian Defence Minister told Defense News that she wasn't surprised by such remarks. “I heard in his words the frustration that the past may have left behind. But the stakes are much higher than the comments of a company boss...” she said.

5. “The fighter of the future, whether it is the FCAS or the GCAP, will be a structuring program for our defense.It is therefore important that our companies are integrated into the one that will be chosen," she concluded.

6. An observer status for Belgium should not worry Trappier, nor other FCAS industry partners, as it wouldn’t immediately involve industrial participation. Moreover, Belgium opted to purchase the F-35A five years ago.

7. A researcher at the Belgium-based Royal Higher Institute for Defense think tank, agrees it is highly unlikely the participation of a European country in an American-led fighter program could justify its definitive exclusion from any European defense project like FCAS.

8. The analyst noted that both #Germany and #Spain — two FCAS members with equal shares — have either already opted for the F-35 or have been strongly considering it as a fighter replacement. Yet, this has not generated similar protests from Dassault.

9. There is at least one big player that has already signaled support for such as move. The CEO of #Safran, Olivier Andriès, expressed his desire for Belgium to join FCAS, rather than the Global Combat Air Program, during an interview this week with French media.

10. There are little to no details known at this time on what an observer status would entail for partner countries. However, a state’s observer status may preclude it from having access to information deemed sensitive, such as proprietary data, which could hinder such goals.

11. It remains to be seen, should the program expand to other countries, whether further delays would ensue from new rounds of negotiations. The #FCAS project was in a holding pattern for some time due to industrial infighting over workshare agreements.