Germany and France have terminated the core fighter jet component of the 100 billion euro Future Combat Air System project.Chancellor Friedrich Merz and President Emmanuel Macron finalized the decision after industrial disputes between Airbus and Dassault Aviation stalled progress.The project was originally launched in 2017 to modernize European defense capabilities while reducing reliance on the US.Both governments intend to shift their focus toward more realistic defense initiatives during the upcoming ministerial council.