Fears are growing that British defence giant BAE Systems will be frozen out of a programme to develop a new warplane after Airbus and Dassault teamed up to build aerial combat system to replace the current Eurofighter and Rafale jets.

The Franco-German programme could come into service between 2035 and 2040 and take the form of a new fighter plane or even a fleet of drone aircraft controlled by a “mothership”.

Speaking at the Berlin air show, Airbus and Dassault chiefs made no direct mention of BAE - the world’s third-largest defence business - taking part, calling the new project a “landmark” in “securing European sovereignty and technological leadership in the military aviation sector for the coming decades”.

“Never before has Europe been more determined to safeguard and foster its political and industrial autonomy and sovereignty in the defence sector,” said Dirk Hoke, head of Airbus’s defence business. “Airbus and Dassault have absolutely the right expertise to lead the FCAS project.”