Airbus and Saab explore future drone fighter project
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 Airbus and Saab, independently of other issues.”
Both companies are interested in developing future drones—commonly referred to as Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) or Loyal Wingmen—that can accompany piloted fighters and operate in contested environments.
Defense ministers from France, Germany, and Spain are scheduled to meet on December 11 to discuss the state of the SCAF program. Industrial sources told Reuters that leadership from Airbus, Saab, and the UK’s BAE Systems—one of the key players in the UK–Japan-led Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP)—have been in regular contact.
Launched more than eight years ago, the SCAF program has struggled with persistent delays and disputes among participating nations and contractors.
Johansson declined to comment on Saab’s position relative to growing tensions within the SCAF program but said generally, “We are not talking about Sweden replacing anyone or anything.”
During the last development cycle, Sweden opted for an independent path with the Gripen, while France built the Rafale and a UK-led group including Germany, Spain, and Italy produced the Eurofighter.
In the current generation, France is partnered with Germany and Spain on SCAF, while the UK has joined with Japan in GCAP, a program that remains open to new members. Sweden has yet to finalize its strategic direction. It had initially aligned with the UK but is now pursuing its own research on a Gripen successor. Political decisions are expected by 2030, though Johansson said they may come earlier—“possibly in 2028.”
“I do not rule out any type of partnership in the future,” Johansson stated. “That could certainly be one path, but maintaining OEM capability in the fighter segment—why give that up?”
