First, the air combat system of the future [SCAF] was to be the subject of a collaboration involving only France and Germany. In 2019, this program was then opened to Spain on the basis of a fair division of tasks between the three now associated countries.
However, this did benefit Airbus Defense & Space in some ways when it came to the development of the new generation aircraft [New Generation Fighter – NGF]This enabled the European group to claim two-thirds of the workload against Dassault Aviation, which was nonetheless appointed prime contractor. Hence the tough negotiations between the industrialists about phase 1B of the project. After finally reaching an agreement, it was officially launched on April 28th.
But no sooner had work begun than Belgium was invited to join the SCAF, albeit with observer status. And the Belgian aviation industry has high hopes for this decision.
“The contract to purchase F-16 aircraft has had a huge impact on the sector over several decades” and I think we can achieve the same economic benefits with the SCAF. […] In any case, this is the goal we must have for Belgium,” argued Stéphane Burton, CEO of the Orizio Group, which includes Sabca and Sabena Engineering.
However, Dassault Aviation CEO Éric Trappier made no secret of his reservations about Belgium’s possible participation in the SCAF program at a Senate hearing in late May.
“I think we have to stick to our commitments, which is not easy anyway. We have to do phase 1B in threes. I hope that we will proceed to phase 2, which will allow the future aircraft to always be flown in threes. If we want to expand cooperation, the talks will last longer. I remind you that we French represent only a third of this project. I’m afraid that taking another step will result in the loss of useful skills,” explained Mr. Trappier.
And he emphasized: “If we were to reopen the possibility of a new cooperation too quickly to give Belgian companies work, I would fight to present my point of view, even if the state can of course always enforce its own.”
And the State has therefore presented its point of view… “Belgium’s participation as an observer will reinforce the European dimension of the SCAF programme.” , also welcomed the Ministry of Defense.
Noting this decision, Mr. Trappier reminded BFMTV that the collaboration is based on the principle of “fair industrial returns”. [les pays impliqués reçoivent une part de travail proportionnelle à leurs commandes] do not make it possible to produce the “best devices”. The case of the Eurofighter Typhoon is an example…
Nonetheless, many are pleased with Belgium’s participation in the SCAF programme. However, space still needs to be made for it. And Spain has already marked its borders through the voice of Amparo Valcarce, its defense minister.
“For the time being, we only accepted Belgium as an observer. “This is very important as it strengthens the SCAF program,” Ms. Valcarce said first in a statement reported by InfoDefensa during the Le Bourget international aerospace show.
And with “an investment of 2.5 billion euros” and the creation of “1200 jobs in Spain”, the SCAF will “have an impact on the Spanish economy equivalent to that of the Eurofighter in 1990”, continued Mrs. Valcarce. She also argued, “We need to be able to ensure that this program serves the economy and creates quality jobs.”
Regarding the question of what the arrival of Belgium would mean, the Spanish foreign minister was inflexible: reducing its participation in the program was out of the question for Madrid. “Right now, I’m strongly defending our industry’s 33 percent ownership,” she said.
Unless Spain intends to reduce its stake in SCAF, it will be difficult for France and Germany to make any concessions other than handing over the keys to Madrid. One solution would be to expand the project to other capacities. But that would increase the bill. In any case, this promises new lively discussions between the participants of this program …