The reconnaissance flights of German tornado jets in the fight against the terrorist militia Islamic State that are about to end will no longer be fully replaceable.
Berlin (dpa) - The full use of a replacement from Italy, which is fundamentally ready, is hardly possible, declared defense politicians before a decision by the Bundestag on a changed mandate.
The corona pandemic made the political situation in Italy even more difficult. According to the mandate, the deployment of German tornado reconnaissance aircraft from Jordan should end on March 31. The Bundestag is now deciding on an additional mandate for use in Iraq, which will be carried out from Jordan. The Bundeswehr is therefore part of the international anti-IS coalition. The additional mandate regulates the further procedure.
The plan is to extend the use of military tanker aircraft beyond March 31. In addition, Germany will create air transport capacities for the anti-IS coalition, but also for international organizations, allies and partners. Germany is also said to operate an airspace radar. The Bundeswehr's ongoing training aid for security forces in central Iraq, previously part of the anti-IS coalition, is also to be organized with the NATO training mission.
