France withdraws from Eurodrone project

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Amid uncertainty surrounding the SCAF (Future Combat Air System – a European combat air system developed by Dassault, Airbus, and Indra Sistemas), France has encountered a problem with yet another program. Following delays, cost overruns, and poor performance, Paris has decided to withdraw from the Eurodrone project (Airbus, Dassault, and Leonardo). The French online publication l'Informé recently reported this, providing some details of the situation.

The publication notes that Airbus is the prime contractor for the Eurodrone project, with support from Leonardo (Italy) and Dassault (France). However, the new French Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans (effective October 12, 2025), Catherine Vautrin, has not yet officially notified her partners of the decision.

Airbus employees have been enthusiastic about this program, especially since September. This partnership, run jointly by Germany, Spain, and Italy, was launched in 2015 to meet operational needs for reconnaissance drones. Unfortunately, it apparently offered too many options for the manufacturer, causing its schedule to slip. It is four years behind the original schedule, and entry into service is now expected no earlier than 2030 at the earliest.

- says the publication.

The European Medium-Altitude Long-End Remotely Piloted Aerial Vehicle (MALE RPAS) program, or Eurodrone, has already exceeded €7 billion due to cost pressures. The project, a twin-turboprop MALE drone, was expected to make its maiden flight in mid-2027.
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  1. Omer Skakavac
    Omer Skakavac
    +1
    18 October 2025 14: 44
    Cooperation, integration, and centralization all play into the bureaucracy's hands. Each company, individually, would have already implemented its own project, if not several. Instead, they're busy chasing free money.