German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has cast significant doubt on the future of the Franco-German-Spanish Future Combat Air System (SCAF) project, stating that Germany does not require the same aircraft as France. This statement, made in a podcast on February 18th, exacerbates existing tensions between the industrial partners, Airbus and Dassault, and highlights a broader Franco-German political and industrial crisis. Launched in 2017 by Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel, the SCAF aims to develop a next-generation fighter jet integrated with drones and advanced digital communication, but disagreements over technological sharing and industrial roles have plagued the project. Germany's stated needs, which do not include nuclear capabilities or carrier-based operations, diverge from France's requirements, potentially jeopardizing a project that was intended to bolster European defense cooperation. Germany has until the end of February to make a final decision.