Asked about a report in Britain's Times that Berlin was considering leaving FCAS/SCAF to join a rival project involving Britain, Italy and Japan, Faury told reporters he saw no such signs, adding "on the ground we see the exact opposite."

However, speaking after announcing quarterly earnings, he criticised Germany over a decision to block exports of current-generation Eurofighter jets to Saudi Arabia, calling the move damaging for the programme and Germany's export reputation.

(Reporting by Tim Hepher; Editing by Chris Reese)