German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has cast doubt on Germany's participation in the Future Combat Air System (SCAF) project, stating that Germany does not require the same capabilities as France, specifically regarding nuclear weapon carriage and carrier operations. This divergence in needs, Merz explained, creates a fundamental disagreement on the aircraft's specifications and profiles, potentially jeopardizing the joint development. He suggested that if this issue isn't resolved, Germany might pursue alternative European partners. The SCAF, launched in 2017 by France and Germany and later joined by Spain, aims to replace existing fighter jets by 2040 and includes advanced drone and digital combat cloud technology. France, however, maintains that the military needs of all participating states, including French nuclear deterrence, have not changed.