Airbus Says Dassault Aviation Free to Leave Fighter Pact Amid Bickering

Airbus SE Chief Executive Officer Guillaume Faury shot back at his counterpart at Dassault Aviation SA amid continued bickering over a planned joint next-generation fighter jet, saying the French aircraft manufacturer is free to drop out if they disagree with the agreed terms.

“Our partner has been very open that they’re not happy with the work share that was agreed for the program, and they’re asking for something different, which is not what was agreed,” Faury said on a call after the company reported earnings. “If they’re not happy with what was decided and they don’t agree to continue in this setup, they are free to decide to move out of FCAS,” he said, referring to the Future Combat Air System.