# France Pursues National ACF Program

After the France-Germany-Spain Future Combat Air System (FCAS) partnership collapsed, France announced in October 2026 that it plans to develop the Avion de Combat du Futur (ACF) as a national program to succeed the Rafale, with conventional missions targeted for 2040. Potential industry work spans aircraft design, engines, sensors, stealth, combat cloud, drones, and electronic warfare. A possible budget below €50 billion is an estimate attributed to Dassault Aviation CEO Éric Trappier—not an approved budget or contract award. Separately, France expects the first MBDA Deluge one-way munitions in summer 2027.

- Companies can assess potential roles in the ACF supply chain across the identified aircraft and mission-system areas; the signals do not identify solicitations, awards, or a procurement schedule.
- Dassault Aviation, Safran, and Thales are identified as potential participants in national fighter development. The change from a multinational FCAS effort to a national program may affect teaming and industrial-participation strategies.
- Treat the below-€50-billion figure as an industry estimate, not a funded opportunity. The Deluge delivery expectation is a separate development, with first deliveries anticipated in summer 2027.

**Jurisdictions:** international
**Industries:** Defense & Military
**Published:** October 15, 2026

### Government Entities
- French Air and Space Force
- National Assembly of France, Defense Committee

### Vendors
- Dassault Aviation (Potential ACF developer; FCAS next-generation fighter pillar participant)
- Safran (Engine partner identified for next-generation fighter development)
- Thales (Defense-electronics participant identified for next-generation fighter development)
- MBDA (Manufacturer of the Deluge one-way munition)
- Airbus (FCAS next-generation fighter pillar participant)

### Sources
- [France to go it alone on next-gen combat aircraft after FCAS collapse](https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2026/10/15/france-to-go-it-alone-on-next-gen-combat-aircraft-after-fcas-collapse) - Defense News