Powerful German union calls for Dassault's expulsion from fighter jet program

Germany's powerful IG Metall union has warned it will stop cooperating on a Franco-German fighter jet programme if France's Dassault Aviation AM.PA remains involved, escalating tensions ahead of ministerial talks on Thursday.

The union's stance adds to signs of worsening relations between German and French industry over the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), a 100-billion-euro ($116 billion) project launched more than eight years ago but stalled by disputes over workshare and technology rights.

"We are happy to collaborate with French businesses but not with Dassault," IG Metall's deputy chief Juergen Kerner said in a letter to German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil dated December 8, and seen by Reuters.

"We stand by European cooperation and the Franco-German friendship. But Dassault is trampling over both for selfish reasons."

A defence ministry spokesperson confirmed receipt of the letter but declined to comment on its content.

With more than two million members, IG Metall wields influence through board representation. Both Pistorius and Klingbeil belong to the centre-left Social Democrats.

Kerner urged Berlin not to compromise with Dassault, accusing the company of insisting on sole leadership of the programme. "Dassault has completely disqualified itself as a reliable partner within Europe in times of acute threat," he wrote. "A line has been crossed. We no longer trust Dassault."

Dassault declined to comment. In July, CEO Eric Trappier said the FCAS project - or SCAF in French - needed clearer leadership as partners prepare for a second phase involving a flying demonstrator.

European aerospace group Airbus AIR.PA - also part of the project - struck a more optimistic tone on Wednesday, with CEO Guillaume Faury telling France Inter radio: "I think that this programme will happen. What the modes of cooperation will be on each pillar, that is not yet a done deal."

Pistorius is due to meet French Defence Minister Catherine Vautrin in Berlin on Thursday, while German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron plan high-level talks the week of December 15, according to an industry source.

European Union leaders are also due to meet in Brussels on December 17-19. Merz has said he wants a decision on the project's future by year-end.