It is probably the financially most momentous decision that Secretary of Defense Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer wants to make next year: the choice of a replacement for the outdated Tornado jets.
More in the SPIEGEL
Issue 49/2019
Beethoven - A pop star turns 250
Why all the world adores him to this dayDigital Edition | Printed issues | Apps | SUBSCRIPTION
At the moment, it looks as if its generals want to strike in the US when they buy around 90 new machines. But this triggers to information from the SPIEGEL detuning between the French government and Berlin.
Because the selection would have consequences for the development of the common fighter jet of the sixth generation (FCAS). The dispute over plans of the German Ministry of Defense has ignited for the succession of the Tornado fighter jet to order not only about 40 Eurofighter jets but also American type F-18 Growler aircraft. These specialize in electronic warfare.
French fear setback for German-French arms industry
The French, however, insist on the original concept, according to which the Airbus Group of the Air Force should provide a complete Eurofighter fleet and equip them with a corresponding system for electronic warfare. Paris argues that the development of technology is a key element of the future FCAS system, which Airbus plans to build with the French defense company Dassault by 2040. For the development of a Franco-German armaments industry, therefore, it would be a setback from the French point of view, if this system were not developed in Europe, but bought by the Americans.
Defense Minister Kramp-Karrenbauer wants to decide on the Tornado succession at the beginning of next year. But she is in a dilemma. As a replacement for the Tornado machines, she quickly needs a jet that can also carry the B61 nuclear bombs stationed in Germany.
The atomic bombs belong to the US Army. However, the German Armed Forces has committed itself within the framework of the so-called nuclear participation to transport them in case of defense with fighter aircraft to the destination. Only the tornadoes are currently designed and certified for this purpose.
The US authorities are likely to block the certification of the Eurofighter for it. The machines would also have to be accompanied by jets like the Growler, which paralyze the enemy's radar. The head of Airbus Defense, Antoine Noguier, yet promotes a European solution: "A US fighter could endanger the FCAS project," said the ex-general of the French army to the SPIEGEL.
This topic comes from the new SPIEGEL magazine - available at the kiosk from Saturday morning and every Friday at SPIEGEL + and in the digital magazine edition.
What is in the new SPIEGEL and what stories you find at SPIEGEL +, you will also learn in our free policy newsletter DIE LAGE, which appears six times a week - compact, analytical, opinionated, written by the political minds of the editorial.
