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More tanks, more ammunition: CSU deputy warns of "war economy" - does the traffic light play along?

2023-01-26T11:39:11.238Z


After the Leopard decision, the Union now demanded more orders for the domestic armaments industry. CSU Vice Manfred Weber insists on "war economy".


After the Leopard decision, the Union now demanded more orders for the domestic armaments industry.

CSU Vice Manfred Weber insists on "war economy".

Berlin – Olaf Scholz (SPD) coined the term “turning point” when he strongly condemned the Ukraine war triggered by Russia in February.

On Wednesday, the Federal Chancellor explained to Parliament the next stage of this turning point - also with a view to German foreign policy: German battle tanks are expected to roll through Ukraine before the end of the spring.

For some, a dangerous breach of taboo.

For others, a step that is long overdue.

Now another turning point in the armaments industry could be imminent in Germany.

Weapons deliveries to Ukraine: CSU Vice Weber calls for "war economy in the EU"

Manfred Weber, deputy party leader of the CSU, called on Thursday for a reorganization of European armaments production.

"The European states are currently not able to provide the necessary armaments quickly enough, neither for our own defense nor for Ukraine," Weber told the newspapers of the

Funke

media group

.

"We need - even if the term is not a simple one - a kind of war economy in the EU in order to be able to guarantee stability and security," said the 50-year-old.

Barely a year after the start of the war, however, the orders for the armaments companies were still missing, Weber stated.

That is why the existing structures must now be put to the test – also in a European dimension.

+

CSU Vice Manfred Weber has criticized the traffic light coalition for its hesitant action in the delivery of battle tanks.

(archive image)

© Kay Nietfeld/dpa

Delivery of battle tanks in the Ukraine war: Weber criticizes the hesitant traffic light coalition

The pressure on the federal government to deliver battle tanks for the Ukraine war had increased over the past few weeks.

Chancellor Scholz then announced the delivery of battle tanks last week - on condition that the USA would also participate.

Then, on Wednesday morning, the German government officially promised to deliver 14 Leopard 2 tanks “rapidly”.

On Wednesday evening, Washington followed suit and confirmed the delivery of Abrams main battle tanks to Kyiv.

"The dispatch of battle tanks to a war zone is a very serious decision," said CSU Vice Weber, classifying the federal government's actions.

However, Weber sharply criticized the way in which this decision was made.

"Why is the federal government so poorly prepared, why has the chancellor not had an answer for months, why doesn't he explain his position earlier and better?

That's what makes the traffic light so weak - and what damages Germany's reputation with our partners," the CSU politician continued.

"Fundamentally important": Union calls for new orders for armaments manufacturers after the promise of tank deliveries

Weber is not alone in his demands for new orders for the German armaments industry.

Both the Bundeswehr and soon the Ukraine need supplies of new battle tanks, demanded the defense policy group spokesman Florian Hahn (CSU) to the

Augsburger Allgemeine.

"It is fundamentally important for Germany's ability to defend itself to immediately procure Leopard tanks, ammunition and everything else that the Bundeswehr had to give up," said the member of the Bundestag.

The war in Ukraine has revealed how poorly prepared the Bundeswehr, among other things, is at the moment for an emergency.

The traffic light coalition now wants to bring the Bundeswehr back into shape with the special fund of 100 billion euros announced last year.

Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) faces a mammoth task.

Hahn therefore also called for a long-term support strategy for the domestic armaments industry.

In order for the defense industry to be able to meet the immense demand both at home and abroad, planning, the necessary financial resources and the actual conclusion of contracts are required, added the CSU politician.

German armaments industry: Leopard 2 tanks mold on the Rheinmetall site

Last week, Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger provided an example of the ailing German armaments industry.

The head of the armaments group told

Bild am Sonntag

that the company itself had 22 Leopard 2A4 battle tanks.

However, these could only be delivered to Ukraine in 2024.

The vehicles have only been standing around on Rheinmetall's premises for years and are now "moldy on the inside".

The repair takes about a year.

Tanks, drones, anti-aircraft defenses: weapons for Ukraine

Tanks, drones, anti-aircraft defenses: weapons for Ukraine

Leopard 2 as a "game changer" in the war?

Ukraine also demands fighter planes – Scholz rejects

The required measures would also be necessary with a view to potential further arms deliveries to Ukraine.

It remains to be seen whether Western main battle tanks can actually act as a "game changer" in Ukraine.

Shortly after the announcement of the Leopard decision, Ukrainian officials therefore also demanded the delivery of combat aircraft.

Scholz clearly rejected this further advance in the government survey on Wednesday.

Weber was much more open with regard to the delivery of combat aircraft: "You will have to make new decisions again and again - also with regard to Russian capacities and activities.

If Ukraine is strong enough to recapture territories in the Donbass, we have the best chance of ending the war quickly," said the CSU politician.

(fd with dpa)

List of rubrics: © Kay Nietfeld/dpa

Source: merkur

All news articles on 2023-01-26

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