If the joint sixth‑generation fighter project FCAS stalls or fails, France and Germany have yet to announce an official replacement. Experts say Germany is most likely to join the GCAP (Tempest) program, which already includes the United Kingdom, Japan and Italy. France, emphasizing the independence of its defence industry, is expected to pursue a domestic sixth‑generation fighter led by Dassault. No formal decision has yet been issued by Berlin or Paris regarding the future of the sixth‑generation fighter programme.