Lambrecht Ministry is probably holding a crisis meeting – because of the possible risks of buying a fighter jet
Created: 04/12/2022, 07:58
Defense Minister Christiane Lambrecht (SPD) © Valeria Mongelli/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
The F-35 stealth jet is considered the most modern combat aircraft in the world.
Now there should be doubts about the procurement in Berlin.
Berlin - Brings the
Buying stealth jets Risks?
According to information from
Bild am Sonntag (BamS)
, the Federal Ministry of Defense is to hold a crisis meeting on Monday (December 5) on the traffic light coalition's planned purchase of F-35 fighter jets from the USA.
The responsible members of the budget committee should also take part, the newspaper reports.
The background is a secret procurement proposal in which the ministry warns of significant risks in the business.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) announced a few days ago that he wanted to seal the order shortly.
According to
BamS
, it is about 35 machines including armament worth 9.99 billion euros.
However, it is still unclear whether the Bundeswehr will have the airfield in Büchel (Rhineland-Palatinate) converted in time for the F-35 jets by 2026.
"Therefore, delays and additional costs before the start of flight operations cannot be ruled out," said Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht (SPD).
Traffic light coalition: The Scholz cabinet at a glance
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Purchase of stealth jets is to be financed from Bundeswehr special funds
The SPD politician Andreas Schwarz, chief rapporteur in the defense budget committee, told the
BamS
: "It is unacceptable that Parliament is only now learning about the problems." Attempts are being made here to get rid of responsibility.
The machines from the US manufacturer Lockheed Martin are to be procured as the successor model to the Tornado fleet introduced more than 40 years ago.
The F-35 is considered the most modern combat aircraft in the world and is also bought for Germany's so-called nuclear participation - this is a NATO deterrent concept in which allies have access to US nuclear bombs.
According to unconfirmed information, the last of these weapons in Germany are in special bunkers in Büchel.
The planned purchase is to be financed from the 100 billion euro special fund for the Bundeswehr.
Scholz had announced this after the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine.
(AFP/dpa/frs)