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European air forces are facing a growing capability gap at the lower end of the combat aviation spectrum. Many light multirole and trainer-based attack aircraft still in service today were introduced decades ago and are increasingly expensive to maintain, limited in survivability, and poorly suited to modern detection and electronic warfare environments. At the same time, using high-end fighter jets for routine patrol, close support, or counter-drone missions is often inefficient and costly.
According to the Defense Post, to address this gap, the European Union has launched a new initiative to study and shape a future stealth-enabled light multirole aircraft, with entry into service envisioned in the 2035–2040 timeframe. Backed by a €15 million research call, the effort aims to define a new class of aircraft that combines low operating costs with improved survivability and flexibility across a wide range of missions.
The proposed aircraft is intended to take on roles traditionally handled by aging platforms such as light attack jets and advanced trainers. Armed with precision-guided munitions, it would support air-to-ground missions including close air support, light strike, and drone interception, while also performing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance tasks. Unlike older designs, the new concept places a clear emphasis on reducing detectability, reflecting how even low-intensity conflicts now involve sophisticated sensors and air defenses.
Rather than full stealth shaping, the requirements focus on practical signature reduction. The aircraft is expected to use radiation-absorbing paints and coatings to lower its visibility, alongside protection against electronic interference and electromagnetic pulse effects. These measures are meant to improve survivability without driving costs into fighter-jet territory. The platform is also expected to support manned-unmanned teaming, allowing it to cooperate with drones under human supervision.
From a performance standpoint, the aircraft is envisioned as a turboprop design with a maximum takeoff weight of around 7.5 tons and short takeoff and landing capability. This would allow operations from austere or damaged airstrips, a key requirement for dispersed and expeditionary operations. It is expected to function reliably in harsh environments, from desert and coastal conditions to extreme cold and mountainous terrain.
Beyond military use, the EU explicitly highlights dual-use applications. The same platform should be adaptable for border surveillance, search and rescue, and disaster response, aligning with internal security and civil protection needs.
From a defense perspective, the initiative reflects a broader shift toward affordable, survivable airpower for asymmetric and gray-zone scenarios. A stealth-aware light aircraft could relieve pressure on fighter fleets while offering European forces a flexible tool suited to both military operations and homeland security missions in the decades ahead.
