Airbus and Saab explore future drone fighter project

The discussions come as the Franco-German-Spanish SCAF program faces delays and internal disagreements.

Airbus and Saab are in early talks to develop an unmanned combat aircraft, according to company executives who spoke with Reuters during a recent European defense industry event.

The discussions reflect both the rising interest in drone systems and shifting alliances across Europe's fragmented defense industry.

The project would explore drone aircraft designed to support current-generation manned fighters such as the Eurofighter Typhoon, backed by Airbus, and Saab's Gripen E.

As noted by Reuters, the initiative could gain further relevance if the trilateral Future Combat Air System (SCAF) -- a €100 billion Franco-German-Spanish fighter program -- continues to face delays and internal disagreements. Industry sources said a successful outcome of the Airbus-Saab dialogue could act as a catalyst for broader airpower cooperation outside the SCAF framework.

When asked if Saab had engaged Airbus in case the SCAF program fails, Saab CEO Micael Johansson replied that the two companies already maintain a strong relationship through Saab's Arexis electronic warfare system, which equips German Eurofighters.

"And we have discussed the possibility of doing something in the unmanned aircraft domain that complements our existing fighters," Johansson said. He emphasized that Saab is speaking with multiple parties, and no formal decision has been made. "It could be an opportunity, but of course we are discussing it," he added during the forum in Brussels.

At the same event, Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury confirmed the talks and said the companies have longstanding cooperation in electronics and missile systems.

"We see good prospects for continuing to work with them on unmanned aircraft. It's a subject we are discussing, and it's not tied to the SCAF," Faury said. "We'll see what the program looks like in the future. But today, the discussions are happening directly between Air