Airbus, Dassault agree partnership for new fighter jet project

BERLIN (Reuters) - Airbus and Dassault Aviation have signed an initial agreement for cooperation on Europe's Future Air Combat System (FCAS), the two companies said on Wednesday.

The two companies are awaiting from the French and German government details on the exact requirements for the programme, which is set to include a fighter jet, unmanned aerial vehicles, connectivity and secure communications.

"It's a really important moment to stabilise the European defence industry and work together in a structured manner," Airbus Defence and Space CEO Dirk Hoke told reporters at the Berlin air show.

The two companies want to ensure that Europe retains sovereignty over its future weapons systems, Eric Trappier, CEO of Dassault Aviation said.

"I don't feel that if other European countries buy off the shelf American products that you contribute to strategic autonomy," Trappier said.

(Reporting by Victoria Bryan; Editing by Maria Sheahan)