France is ready to unite with Sweden for creating sixth-generation fighter and is overall open to very broad cooperation. Unnamed Élysée Palace representative directly stated this during press briefing ahead of French president’s visit to Sweden.
He noted both countries in searching for sixth-generation fighter desire to obtain lighter machines. Moreover, as Politico writes, France may offer Sweden engines for aircraft.
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One FCAS render / Open source image
This means Paris entered fight with Berlin for potential Swedish defense industry participation, primarily Saab, in creating sixth-generation fighter.
At same time, about potential Germany-Sweden cooperation specialized publications wrote a year ago, noting government was already discussing such quite logical Plan B in case Franco-German-Spanish FCAS project collapses. Ultimately this is precisely what happened with FCAS in June 2026, and 40-year-old history repeated.
At same time, Saab itself declared developing own solution under F-series project. Therefore before choosing partners, Swedes must still abandon sovereign sixth-generation fighter development, which will definitely meet all requirements and conceptual vision of their own defense ministry.
F-series concept / Screenshot from STV video
This is precisely why in France they immediately spoke about cooperation possibility only in engine sphere. Because Sweden starting from Saab 37 Viggen, which made first flight in 1967, began using American engines produced under license, while in JAS 39 Gripen E/F they are simply purchased.
At same time, choice in favor of French engine will evidently be positioned by Paris as guaranteed protection from unstable U.S. foreign policy regarding all of Europe. At same time, Saab itself officially does not consider using American engines a disadvantage.
Also worth recalling back in late 1990s European Eurojet consortium, which produces EJ200 engines for Eurofighter, offered Saab to install their engine version in modernized Gripen, but project did not receive support.
At same time, choice Sweden and Saab make is genuinely important for Ukraine. Because despite only first Gripen E batch being ordered for Air Forces from plan for 150 aircraft, and intent for 100 Rafales not yet transitioning to practical plane, on very distant but horizon, question of sixth-generation fighter for Ukraine’s Air Forces already exists. At same time, Saab plans to place its production capacities in Ukraine, and same decision should be sought from Dassault Aviation.