EU’s €15M Vision for the Future Multirole Light Aircraft (FMLA) by 2035

BRUSSELS – The European Union has officially signalled its intent to develop a new class of low-observable, cost-effective combat aviation. In a move aimed at bridging the capability gap between high-end fifth-generation fighters and low-intensity mission requirements, the European Defence Fund (EDF) has allocated €15 million for the initial competition and design phase of the Future Multirole Light Aircraft (FMLA).

According to the EDF 2026 Call Topic Descriptions released in late December 2025, the program seeks to create a platform that combines the rugged utility of a turboprop with advanced "radar-evading" features, a combination rarely seen in the light attack sector.

"Low Observable" But Affordable

The FMLA project is not intended to compete with the 6th-generation Future Combat Air System (FCAS). Instead, it is designed for environments where using a multi-million-euro stealth jet would be economically unsustainable. The EU’s goal is to provide a "pragmatic air asset" for low-intensity conflicts and missions that fall below the threshold of open warfare.

The official requirement document states:

"The FMLA should also be effective in specific combat roles such as light attack... hypersonic threats, slow surface targets and low-observable targets (stealth). The required technologies should be demonstrated through small-scale or reduced functionality technology demonstrators."

Technical Specifications and Requirements

The European Commission has laid out a stringent set of criteria for the FMLA, emphasising versatility and a small operational footprint.

Propulsion: Turboprop engine (designed for low fuel consumption and high endurance).

Weight Class: Maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) up to 7,500 kg.

STOL Capability: The aircraft must be capable of operating from austere, unprepared runways as short as 450 meters.

Survivability: Use of advanced materials to minimise radar cross-section (RCS) and integrated electronic warfare (EW) resistance.

Dual-Use: Rapidly reconfigurable for civil security missions, including search and rescue (SAR) and border surveillance.

Strategic Context

The program comes at a time when European air forces are increasingly reliant on the American-made F-35 for stealth capabilities. By developing the FMLA, the EU hopes to maintain its own aerospace industrial base while offering a solution to member states that cannot afford the high life-cycle costs of high-end stealth platforms.

Andrius Kubilius, the EU Commissioner for Defence and Space, emphasised the importance of this collaborative approach during a policy briefing on January 5, 2026:

"Europe must strengthen collaboration in defence, with the European Defence Fund acting as a key foundation for this effort. For the sixth time, we are investing significant resources to incentivise and support research and development on major defence capabilities."

The Roadmap to 2035

While the project is currently in the "feasibility and requirements" stage, the European Defence Agency (EDA) has set an ambitious (if somewhat debated) timeline. Initial technology demonstrators are expected by 2029, 1with the full-scale production aircraft slated for entry into service between 2035 and 2040.

Industry experts have noted that the FMLA concept closely resembles the Embraer Super Tucano in spirit, but with a uniquely European twist: the inclusion of adaptive camouflage and onboard radar systems optimised for "low-observable" operations.

Projected FMLA Development Milestones (2026–2035)