The Bundeskartellamt has cleared the creation of a joint venture between Airbus Defence and Space, German FCMS and MBDA Deutschland. German FCMS is a joint venture between four German defence and technology companies, namely Diehl, ESG, Hensoldt and Rohde & Schwarz. The creation of German FCMS was assessed and cleared by the Bundeskartellamt in 2020. FCMS develops networked sensor and effector solutions as well as drone systems and cross-platform sensors and effectors for flying unmanned systems.
Airbus, FCMS and MBDA Deutschland are working together in the national R&D project for the development of the combat system of their so-called "Future Combat Air System" (FCAS). “ FCAS is a programme for the development of a system consisting of a manned sixth-generation multirole combat aircraft (New Generation Fighter), unmanned remote carrier vehicles and new weapon and communication systems. This National R&T Project is intended to carry out research on various key areas relating to the planned new air combat system. The National R&T Project is therefore implemented in the context of FCAS and the closely related, subordinate New Generation Weapon System Project (“NGWS”).
In its assessment, the Bundeskartellamt concluded that cooperation between parent companies is primarily aimed at ensuring that individual research results are compatible for use in the international FCAS and NGWS context.
(Bundeskartellamt, 25.07.2022)
NAZALI TAX & LEGAL