France and Germany Joint Statement on Deepening Defence, Space, and Critical Minerals Cooperation

17 Jul 2026 13:16EUR Europe France Germany
  • France and Germany support a stronger European defence sector ahead of the next EU budget cycle
  • France and Germany will explore cooperation on sovereign European missile defence capabilities
  • France, Germany and the UK will examine cooperation on deep precision strike capabilities
  • France and Germany will define a European collaborative combat standard to improve interoperability across air systems
  • France and Germany will investigate a collaborative combat approach for the next-generation MGCS tank project
  • France and Germany will intensify cooperation on space-based reconnaissance systems and explore interoperability between IRIS²
  • France and Germany agreed a joint declaration of intent on fusion energy
  • France and Germany will advocate redirecting EU financial instruments toward the critical minerals sector
  • France and Germany reaffirm commitments to KNDS regarding IPO plans
  • France and Germany state their efforts will complement, not replace, NATO's nuclear deterrence