France and Germany Turn Their Backs on Palantir: Europe Prepares Its Alternative
France and Germany intend to strengthen, as reported by POLITICO, European technological autonomy even in the defense sector. At the end of the meeting between French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, the two governments announced their intention to evaluate the development of a sovereign European digital infrastructure intended for military applications, with the aim of reducing dependency on solutions developed in the United States.
The joint statement includes the analysis of a European platform that integrates data security, artificial intelligence, and cloud services. As a benchmark, the French command and control platform based on AI, Arcadia, developed for the French armed forces, is cited, alongside future similar solutions developed in Germany.
The initiative comes after a series of decisions already adopted by both countries regarding Palantir, a U.S. company known for its data analytics platforms and military operational support. In June, the French General Directorate for Internal Security (DGSI) announced the conclusion of its relationship with Palantir, opting for ArgonOS by ChapsVision as its new platform. The German intelligence service (BfV) has also chosen the same French solution, while the Bundeswehr has excluded Palantir from procedures relating to the realization of its cloud infrastructure for defense.
This choice is particularly significant considering that Maven, the military software developed by Palantir, is already employed by NATO for processing data collected on the battlefield. Recently, a high-ranking commander of the Atlantic Alliance stated that there was still no real European alternative. Paris and Berlin's response is to initiate a process that can fill this gap through technologies developed within the European Union.
However, cooperation between France and Germany is not limited to software. The joint document also defines other developmental paths in the defense sector. One point concerns the creation of a "European collaborative combat standard", a common standard that allows next-generation fighters, combat drones, and other aircraft developed by different countries to share data and operate interoperably during missions. It is striking that there are no references to the FCAS (Future Combat Air System) program, the joint project between France, Germany, and Spain for the future air combat system, which has been repeatedly slowed down by industrial and organizational difficulties.
On the ground front, the two governments have agreed to initiate a research program dedicated to the MGCS (Main Ground Combat System) project, intended to eventually replace the Leopard 2 and Leclerc tanks with a new family of combat vehicles with and without crew. Initial activities will involve technologies for autonomous driving, advanced sensors, and communication networks on the battlefield, aiming for an initial technological demonstration.
The statement also addresses the topic of missile systems. France and Germany will work together with the United Kingdom to assess cooperation in the development of long-range armaments, considering capabilities that could allow for ranges of up to 2,500 kilometers. Among the competencies considered is the expertise of ArianeGroup.
The space sector is also included in the agreement. The two countries foresee closer collaboration in the development and use of satellites for military reconnaissance and intend to increase their use of European launchers, including Ariane 6, for the deployment of assets intended for defense.
Finally, France and Germany reiterated their support for a future stock market listing of KNDS, the Franco-German group active in the production of ground defense systems, conditional however on favorable market conditions and approval from both governments.