French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz are convening at Augustusburg Palace in Brühl to establish a Franco-German steering group aimed at deepening cooperation on radar systems, deep-strike capabilities, and missile defense following the 8 June 2026 termination of the €100 billion FCAS fighter jet project. The joint crewed sixth-generation fighter was scrapped after Airbus and Dassault Aviation failed to resolve disputes over flight controls, cockpit intellectual property, and stealth requirements without a single prototype flying. While the crewed aircraft element is dead, the combat cloud and drone systems may continue under the FCAS name as a face-saving solution. The new steering group will also address nuclear deterrence, space, and long-range strike capabilities to prevent duplication and restore industrial momentum.