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10 Nov 23. Germany Publishes New Defense Policy Guidelines 2023.
New Defense Policy Guidelines Call for a War-Ready Bundeswehr. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and Inspector General of the Bundeswehr Gen. Carsten Breuer presented the new defense policy guidelines for the “turning point” at the Bundeswehr conference on November 9, 2023. According to the document, the armed forces’ core mission is national and alliance defense. The personnel and equipment of the Bundeswehr are based on this mission. This requires a force capable of war, because the threat situation in Europe has changed dramatically since Russia’s attack on Ukraine, which violated international law.
“War has returned to Europe with Putin’s brutal attack on Ukraine. This means the threat situation has changed. As the most populous and economically strong country in the middle of Europe, Germany must be the backbone of deterrence and collective defense in Europe. The first defense policy guidelines in over a decade respond to this new reality,” said Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.
“A life in peace and freedom can no longer be taken for granted in the center of Europe,” says the new defense policy guidelines. Freedom and security must be defended together with our allies. For the Bundeswehr this means: “Readiness to fight with the aim of success in high-intensity combat.”
The defense policy guidelines are the basic document and the compass for the direction of the Bundeswehr. The specifications for personnel and materials are derived from them.
At the same time, crises, conflicts and regional tensions influence the immediate European security environment in Africa, the Middle East, the Arctic and the Indo-Pacific. China, for example, “is simultaneously a partner, competitor and systemic rival,” according to the Defense Policy Guidelines. In this respect, Germany’s international military commitment must continue to go beyond alliance and national defense. This is in line with the requirements of the NATO Strategic Concept and the EU Strategic Compass.
Geostrategically aligned: Integrated defense policy
The Bundeswehr’s contributions to international crisis management remain indispensable for creating and maintaining stability in Europe’s neighborhood. In addition, the Bundeswehr’s commitment will also be based on an internationally comprehensive integrated defense policy. These include, for example, global armed forces cooperation with proven partners in training and exercises as well as reliable armaments cooperation.
The Bundeswehr is the guarantor of Germany’s deterrence and defense capability. Its core mission is national defense, which protects citizens as well as the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Germany and its allies through reliable and firm integration into alliance defense.
Defense Policy Guidelines 2023
With the Defense Policy Guidelines 2023, a basic document has now been published that builds on the National Security Strategy adopted in the summer and further develops the security policy goals formulated therein in terms of defense policy. The new guidelines therefore replace the 2016 White Paper and the Bundeswehr’s 2018 concept.
In a next step, the requirements of the defense policy guidelines will be translated into a new capability profile for the Bundeswehr and a military strategy. “The Defense Policy Guidelines form the foundation for our future military capabilities. They are the guard rails for our structures, leadership culture, personnel recruitment, equipment and training. “On this basis, we are forming a new, common self-image of defensiveness and war capability,” said Inspector General Breuer.
Overall state resilience: increasing resilience
Although the defense policy guidelines primarily set targets for the structure of the Bundeswehr, they are also aimed at everyone in the state and society who bear responsibility for the country’s security within the framework of overall defense and who want to fundamentally strengthen national security provisions. The Bundeswehr is a core instrument of defense against military threats. But: “The condition for successful overall defense is the interconnection of all relevant actors even in peacetime: state, society and economy.”
(Unofficial translation by Defense-Aerospace.com)
(Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/ German Ministry of Defense; issued Nov 09, 2023)
10 Nov 23. Croatia’s 2024 Defense Budget to Increase by 11%.
The Government Has Ensured the Continued Growth of Defense Allocations. The increase in the Financial Plan of the Ministry of Defense for 2024 compared to 2016 amounts to 644 m euros, which proves the firm intention of the Government of the Republic of Croatia to strengthen and modernize the Croatian Army
At the 262nd session held on Thursday, November 9, 2023, the Government of the Republic of Croatia adopted the Proposal for the State Budget of the Republic of Croatia for 2024 and projections for 2025 and 2026, which continues the trend of further increasing the Financial Plan of the Ministry of Defense.
Over the past seven years of the mandate of the Government of the Republic of Croatia headed by President Andrej Plenković, the defense budget has been continuously growing and is the largest since the period of the Homeland War.
Namely, in the Proposal of the State Budget of the Republic of Croatia for 2024, in the part related to the Ministry of Defense, the Financial Plan amounts to 1,172,729,274 euros.
“We are talking about an increase in the budget compared to 2023 by around 117 m euros, which is 11 percent more compared to 2023. The above proves that the Government of the Republic of Croatia, headed by Andrej Plenković, has firmly decided to strengthen, improve and modernize the Croatian defense system,” said Minister Banožić.
A continuous increase in the defense budget is foreseen in the projections for 2025 and 2026, which amount to 1,196,225,977 euros for 2025, and 1,197,482,879 euros for 2026.
The increase in the Financial Plan of the Ministry of Defense for 2024 compared to 2016 amounts to 644 m euros, i.e. by 122 percent.
“When we compare this with the increase in the area of equipment, modernization and construction of the Croatian Army and when we compare the funds proposed in 2024, compared to 2016, then we are talking about an increase in that area by as much as 622 percent. So, we are talking about an increase of about 354 m euros,” said the Minister of Defense.
“In December of this year, we expect the arrival of Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, and the purchase of an additional eight Black Hawk helicopters is planned, of which four helicopters are expected to be financed by the Government of the United States of America, and the remaining four helicopters by the Government of the Republic of Croatia,” emphasized Minister Banožić and added: “We are continuing with the realization of the historic project, that is, the crown of all modernization projects of the Croatian Army – the Rafale multi-purpose combat aircraft.”
However, the Minister of Defense pointed out that satisfied and motivated members of the Croatian Army are the basic and most important prerequisite for the successful implementation and realization of all key strategic projects of the Croatian Army.
“Extremely grateful and proud of all members of the Croatian Army who perform their tasks to the honor and pride of the entire Homeland, but also in an international environment where significant changes have recently occurred in the security architecture, the Government resolutely continues to improve their living and working conditions – standards of life,” Minister Banožić said.
Namely, compared to 2016, it is proposed to increase the allocation of funds for military personnel – members of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia by about 53 percent, or 174 m euros more.
The Ministry of Defense continues to invest in military infrastructure
Also, at today’s meeting, the Government gave consent to the Ministry of Defense to assume obligations at the expense of the State Budget in 2024 in the amount of 1,600,000 euros for the construction of a multi-purpose accommodation building in the “Colonel Milivoj Halar” barracks in Dugi Selo.
It is about the construction of a military building of a special character as part of the “Satnik Krešimir Ivošević” Guide and Service Dog Training Center, which will be used by the Military Police.
We cite the fact that this year in the field of military infrastructure construction, the Ministry of Defense concluded contracts worth around 64 m euros. (Unofficial translation by Defense-Aerospace.com)
(Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/ Croatia Ministry of Defence; issued Nov. 09, 2023)
10 Nov 23. FCAS weighing 4 fighter designs, could make final choice by March 2025.
“There is a good working atmosphere and the deliverables are being delivered,” Major General Jean-Luc Moritz said of the French-German-Spanish future fighter system project.
A leading French Air and Space Force official told reporters this week that the French-German-Spanish Future Combat Air System (FCAS) effort is weighing four different fighter designs, with a final choice coming first quarter 2025.
Major General Jean-Luc Moritz, who leads the French segment of the trilateral effort, also known by its French acronym SCAF, told reporters Thursday that he expects to downselect to two designs by June 2024 and have a final design in hand “by” March of 2025.
It’s a sign of progress for a program that has faced political headwinds almost from the start. The latest came from a British newspaper claiming on Nov. 1 that Germany could walk away from the effort altogether.
Moritz told reporters that he saw no signs that Germany is about to walk out of the program, saying “there is a good working atmosphere and the deliverables are being delivered.”
His counterparts on the SCAF steering committee are Major General José Antonio Gutiérrez Sevilla for Spain and Brigadier General Markus Schetilin for Germany, with whom Moritz says he has “a very good working relationship.”
Moritz stressed the importance of building out the NGWS (Next Generation Weapon System) to fulfill FCAS ambitions.
The NGWS involves the development of a New Generation Fighter (NGF), accompanied by remotely piloted aircraft, or wingman drones, called Remote Carriers that will connect to each other digitally using a combat “cloud.” The NGWS will be able to deploy autonomously or in a network with other airborne, naval, land or space-based combat or command systems.
The trilateral Implementation Agreement 3, signed by FCAS governments in August 2021, approved the NGWS element of work.
Since then, on behalf of France, Spain and Germany, France’s General Directorate for Armament (DGA) awarded the three main industry leads — Dassault, Airbus and Indra — and other key suppliers a €3.2 bn ($3.4 bn) contract to launch Phase 1B of FCAS in December 2022, greenlighting work to develop a flying next generation fighter demonstrator.
The three nations continue to work on all three NGWS elements — the combat aircraft, remote carriers and the combat cloud.
“We need to develop these by trying to forecast the threats we are likely to face in the 2030 to 2040 timeframe. What will our adversaries be thinking? We need to maintain operational superiority via superior technology but our adversaries are also moving more quickly,” he remarked, adding that the Remote Carriers “must cost a fraction of the fighter because they will be the risk takers.”
Airborne superiority is a principle that will remain true into the future, Moritz said, “So I want a tool that can exchange quality, up-to-date data in real time, that will probably use quantum calculators instead of computers, I want to be able to maneuver from land, air or sea and I want to be faster, stronger and higher than my enemy.”
He said the three nations have agreed on a certain number of key capacities for the aircraft. These include stealth, maneuverability, the ability to saturate the enemy, and the combat cloud used at what he called the far edge, the edge and the core.
The far edge is the closest to the users (the heart of the battle) but the furthest from the cloud data centers. The edge would involve aircraft such as AWACS and be situated slightly closer to the cloud data centers. The core refers to operations far behind the line of combat and closest to the data centers.
The challenges developers face include the architecture of the combat cloud that “must be natively developed to be interoperable with aircraft from other NATO countries,” Moritz repeatedly stressed, using the example of mobile phones developed and manufactured by different companies but able to connect with each other thanks to the overarching Internet Protocol (IP). “And I’m quite optimistic that we’ll achieve this,” he said.
He said that the need for interoperability was “very real” because by 2030 European air forces will be operating almost 1,000 European-developed and manufactured aircraft (some 300 French Rafales, 450 English Typhoons and more than 200 Swedish Gripens) in addition to slightly less than 400 US-developed F-35s.
He also believes that artificial intelligence will be aboard the aircraft to help the pilot make operational and tactical decisions. “It won’t be there to help the pilot fly the aircraft because that will be unnecessary. The aircraft’s flight will be automatically controlled,” he explained.
He added that of the seven development “pillars” — aircraft, engine, remote carriers, combat cloud, simulation, sensors, and stealth — currently under development, the “most effervescent” for the time being is the combat cloud, “which we are all agreed will be a totally European development.”
He said that all countries agreed the aircraft and the remote carriers will have to be able to operate from aircraft carriers. What “remains a subject”, he conceded, is the exportability of the aircraft. France, for one, wants to be able to export the NGF.
Moritz also confirmed that Belgium will enter the program as an observer under an MOU by year end with the intention of becoming a full partner at some point in the future.
Regarding Sweden, he remarked that it would be at least two years before Sweden decided what it wanted for the future of its aviation. (Although at the recent International Fighter Conference in Madrid, Sweden indicated it would not decide until 2031.)
Moritz was also at pains to explain that the British-Italian-Japanese Global Combat Air Program (GCAP) formerly known as Tempest, is not comparable to the SCAF because it involves only the development of the next-generation combat aircraft. It is not a system of systems as the SCAF is. (Source: Breaking Defense.com)
09 Nov 23. Germany pledges to make its military ‘the backbone of defence in Europe.’ Germany will strengthen its military to make it the backbone of deterrence and collective defence in Europe, its defence minister pledged on Thursday as Berlin issued new defence policy guidelines for the first time in over a decade. The 19-page document details what the “Zeitenwende” – the major shift of policy German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 – means for the workings of the Bundeswehr.
As a first step to bring the military back up to scratch after decades of attrition following the Cold War, Germany last year set up a 100 billion-euro special fund to purchase modern weapons and pledged to reach NATO’s target of spending at least 2% of the national GDP on defence from 2024.
“With the Zeitenwende, Germany becomes a grown up country in terms of security policy,” Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said as he presented the guidelines, the first since 2011 when Berlin suspended conscription.
He called the document Berlin’s response to a new reality as Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 had brought back war to Europe and raised the level of threat, thereby fundamentally changing the role of Germany and the Bundeswehr.
“As the most populous and an economically strong country at the heart of Europe, Germany must be the backbone of deterrence and collective defence in Europe,” Pistorius said. (Source: Reuters)
09 Nov 23. Germany to send fighter jets to Romania to support NATO -source. Germany will deploy four Eurofighter jets to Romania to support NATO’s air policing mission from the end of November, a security source said, weeks after Russian attacks on Ukrainian Danube River ports.
The attacks, just hundreds of metres from the Romanian border, and drone debris found in Romania have increased security risks for the military alliance whose members have a mutual defence commitment. In September, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg called Russian strikes near the border “destabilising” even if there was no indication that Russia intended to hit a NATO member. The security source said the first of up to 80 German soldiers to be hosted at a military base near Constanta will leave for Romania later on Thursday. The German air force has supported NATO’s air policing mission in Romania in the past. The alliance reinforced its military presence along the eastern flank following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. (Source: Reuters)
07 Nov 23. Germany, Norway to Increase Close Defense Cooperation.
Trustworthy Allies: German-Norwegian Military Cooperation. Germany and Norway are close allies. Particularly on NATO’s eastern flank, both armed forces demonstrate a high level of cooperation to protect the alliance’s territory. There is also intensive cooperation in the areas of training and armaments.
Norway is a founding member of NATO and has been active in the alliance since 1949. Due to its location, Norway has a particular strategic importance: Norway’s coastline stretches from the North Sea to the North Atlantic with a direct border with Russia and the Russian naval base in Murmansk nearby. Almost 23,000 soldiers serve in the Norwegian armed forces.
Bilateral political relations are excellent. In terms of security policy, Germany and Norway share not only NATO membership but also their involvement in the Northern Group. In this forum, twelve northern European states regularly discuss the security situation in the North and Baltic Sea regions and in the Arctic. After Sweden joins NATO, all Northern Group participating countries will also be NATO members.
Cold Response is a winter combat exercise in Norway that takes place every two years and the Bundeswehr also regularly takes part in it. Land, air and naval forces train to defend NATO’s northern flank with its long coastlines and arctic weather conditions.
Together for Europe’s security
Germany is seen by Norway as the most important partner in Europe and a key country in relation to the EU. Although Norway is not in the EU, there are intensive military relations. For example, Norway provides trainers for the European Union Military Assistance Mission Ukraine (EUMAM), in which Ukrainian forces are trained in Germany, among other places.
In addition, Norway is participating in the Permanent Structured Cooperation project Military Mobility, in which procedures are being accelerated and transport infrastructure is being modernized for military transport and troop deployments. PESCO an EU initiative with which EU states commit to jointly and obligatorily advancing and further developing defense projects. Third countries such as Norway can also take part in PESCO projects – if they are interested and if they receive an invitation from the EU. As a logistical hub, Germany is also involved in the Military Mobility project.
There is very intensive cooperation between the German and Norwegian armed forces in Lithuania. Since 2018, a NATO battle group under German leadership has been deployed in the Baltic state to protect the eastern flank. Norwegian soldiers are part of the multinational association.
Germany has decided to permanently station a combat brigade in the Baltics. Preparations for the formation of the Lithuanian Brigade are underway. Even though the brigade will essentially be a German unit, there are discussions about the future structure with close NATO partner nations – especially with Norway and the Netherlands.
Exemplary arms cooperation
German-Norwegian arms cooperation is also at a very high level. A flagship project is the construction of six new Class 212 CD (Common Design) submarines. In addition to development by the two partners, the joint project also includes joint maintenance, repairs, spare parts supply and training. It is intended to be a submarine that can be easily used by soldiers from various navies.
Both countries want to further intensify their cooperation in the armaments sector in the future. (Unofficial translation by Defense-Aerospace.com) (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/: German Ministry of Defense; issued Nov 6, 2023)
09 Nov 23. NATO freezes Cold War treaty that limits troops on Russian border. Nato is suspending its participation in the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe, following Russia’s withdrawal in 2015.
Nato issued a statement on 7 November stating that allied nations will suspend their part in in the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE), in response to Russia’s earlier withdrawal from the treaty in 2015 and illegal invasion of Ukraine last year.
The statement went on to reiterate “a commitment to reducing military risk and preventing misperceptions and conflicts.” In press briefing at the Pentagon on the same day the deputy press secretary could not provide details on whether this would result in a change of force posture in Europe.
The balance between ensuring security and the treaty requirement to avoid escalation stirred dispute between Nato allies earlier this year. In July, when Germany decided it would send 4000 troops in Lithuania, it was clear that this was outside the terms of the treaty, as the new forces would be beyond the limitations on permanently stationed forces near Russian borders.
When asked about the movement of troops to Lithuania, the Chair of Nato’s Defence Committee remarked that the plans were not part of the collective agreement coming out of Nato’s prior summit in Madrid. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda told the Times that the treaty with Russia that deterred the defence of Nato’s eastern flank as ‘dead’, killed by Russia’s announcement to deploy tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus, and that Nato should scrap its constraints on establishing permanent bases near Russia’s borders.
The original treaty set limits on the number of troops within certain categories that could be stationed in Europe, grouping together on the one hand all the nations of Nato, and on the other the former soviet signatories of the Warsaw Pact, and giving each group the same ceiling for the number of forces they could have in reserve and on active duty in Europe.
The CFE was established in the final years of the Cold War, limiting military forces that can be placed within continental Europe, from the shores of the Atlantic to the Ural Mountains deep in Russian territory.
As the political context changed, the CFE underwent adaptation, including through the founding act on mutual relations, cooperation and security, that was signed between Nato and the Russian Federation in 1997 and updated through to 2009. When Russia withdrew from the treaty in 2015, Nato still adhered to elements of the treaty intended to avoid provocation within Russia. (Source: army-technology.com)
08 Nov 23. Joint Statement on the U.S.-Czech Republic Bilateral Defense Relationship. U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for European and NATO Policy Spencer P. Boyer welcomed Jan Jireš, Director General for Defense Policy and Strategy of the Ministry of Defense of the Czech Republic, to the Pentagon for the annual High-Level Defense Group discussion yesterday, Nov. 7. In a time marked by geopolitical shifts, their meeting today focused on fortifying the defense partnership and addressing key security challenges facing both nations and the broader region.
The talks were productive, with both sides reiterating their dedication to the United States-Czech defense relationship, which stands as a testament to the enduring friendship and the shared commitment to democratic principles and human rights. They voiced unanimous support for Ukraine in its efforts to defend its sovereignty, condemning aggression and pledging ongoing assistance.
Deputy Assistant Secretary Boyer praised the Czech Republic’s leadership within NATO, particularly for their role as the Framework Nation for the NATO Battlegroup in Slovakia, recognizing it as a cornerstone of stability in NATO’s Eastern Flank.
This year is especially significant as it marks three decades of a unique and flourishing partnership with the Czech Republic through the State Partnership Program with not just one, but two U.S. states, Nebraska, and Texas. This alliance has fostered cooperation and understanding, strengthening ties between the military and civilian sectors of the respective states and the Czech Republic.
Boyer expressed, “The United States values the Czech Republic as a key ally, and our discussions today have further solidified our shared vision for a peaceful and stable Europe. We will continue to work closely with our Czech partners to advance our common goals and face global challenges together.”
As they concluded, both representatives agreed to maintain a close dialogue and work together on initiatives enhancing the strategic cooperation under the SPP and within the NATO framework, to ensure a coordinated approach to current and future security issues. (Source: U.S. DoD)
08 Nov 23. Airbus sees no sign of Germany quitting fighter jet project.
Airbus (AIR.PA) Chief Executive Guillaume Faury said on Wednesday he saw no evidence of Germany preparing to abandon plans to develop a new combat jet with France and Spain.
Britain’s Times newspaper reported last week that Berlin was considering leaving the project known as SCAF in France and elsewhere as FCAS to join a rival system involving Britain, Italy and Japan following disputes over design and financing.
Airbus is Germany’s industrial partner in the plan to build an interconnected system of fighters and drones by 2040 and has frequently been seen at odds with French partner Dassault Aviation (AM.PA) over the early phases of the programme.
Asked about the report, Faury told reporters he saw no signs of Germany abandoning FCAS/SCAF, adding “on the ground we see the exact opposite.”
However, speaking after announcing quarterly earnings, he strongly criticised Germany over a decision to block exports of current-generation Eurofighter jets to Saudi Arabia.
“It’s damaging for the Eurofighter, but it’s also damaging for the reputation of Germany as an export country,” Faury said.
“That’s creating a very difficult situation with the partner countries of the Eurofighter”. The fighter entered service in 2003 and is built by Germany, Italy, Britain and Spain.
France and Germany have long been at odds on defence exports, with Berlin traditionally taking a more cautious stance.
Berlin halted arms sales to Saudi Arabia following the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz has so far pushed back against pressure to unblock delivery of Eurofighters to Saudi Arabia. His coalition partner, the Greens, firmly opposes the move, pointing to human rights concerns and Saudi Arabia’s role in the Yemen war.
Faury said he perceived a “positive trend” towards resolving the impasse but that “it is not going at the pace we need”.
“We are calling for clear and visible decisions on that topic,” he added.
Saudi Arabia is meanwhile in talks with France about a potential order for dozens of Rafale jets, people familiar with the matter have said, as reported last month by France’s La Tribune.
The German government did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment on fighter jets.
Last week, a government spokesperson said nothing had changed in its position after Scholz said in a speech in September that Berlin was committed to the flagship FCAS/SCAF project and the further development of Eurofighter. (Source: Reuters)
07 Nov 23. Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces – UK condemns withdrawal.
The UK has issued a statement in response to Russia’s withdrawal from the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe. The UK has criticised Russia’s decision to withdraw from the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe, a landmark element of Europe’s post-Cold War security architecture.
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said: “We unequivocally condemn Russia’s decision to withdraw from the Treaty, the latest in a line of Russian efforts to undermine strategic stability and the Euro-Atlantic security architecture. Russia’s unilateral withdrawal undermines reciprocity, which lies at the heart of the CFE Treaty. This is a destabilising move for the integrity of the Treaty and to continue to implement the Treaty would suggest that we think that the Treaty continues to operate as intended. This is plainly not the case.”
In response to Russia’s move, the UK, alongside its Allies has decided to suspend its participation in the Treaty and to work with likeminded nations to develop and implement voluntary stabilising measures.
(Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
04 Nov 23. German air chief urges haste in fielding strike, utility drones. German air force chief Lt. Gen. Ingo Gerhartz wants to see faster progress in the fielding of new military drones than what the time line for the envisioned trinational Future Combat Air System can offer.
“We can have remote carriers out of that project much much earlier,” the air force chief told Defense News in an interview, referring to a class of drones that is envisioned to accompany the FCAS program’s central, sixth-generation warplane on future missions. “And we need to have it much, much earlier.”
Gerhartz’s comments reflect a certain degree of angst in military circles here about the fluid target date for the German-Franco-Spanish project – currently pegged at “2040-plus,” he said in an interview – which could risk putting Berlin behind the curve.
Asked about what timing he had in mind, Gerhartz demurred, saying only the contracting for the FCAS drones was far enough along to support the fielding of unmanned technologies before the totality of the program comes online.
Remote carriers is catch-all term for different types of drones with tasks that range from reconnaissance to electronic jamming to strike. Smaller ones also could be used to swarm enemy air defense positions with the goal of overwhelming their radars and targeting software.
The idea is for the pilot of the FCAS program’s manned warplane, dubbed the Next Generation Fighter, to command all unmanned elements from the cockpit depending on the nature of a given mission.
Germany, with lead contractor Airbus Defence and Space, has the lead for remote carrier development within the overall program. The German and French arms of pan-European missile maker MBDA are also involved, along with Spain’s SATNUS consortium representing local specialists Sener, GMV and Tecnobit.
According to MBDA, the company envisions leaning on existing missile technologies in developing its remote carrier offerings. They include the Taurus cruise missile – sought by Ukraine for its defense against Russia, as well as the Spear 3, Metor and Scalp missiles.
Gerhartz said he also wants to push the tempo on a dedicated strike drone for Germany. The larger vehicle class is internationally dubbed a UCAV, short for unmanned combat aerial vehicle.
France’s national lead for FCAS, Dassault Aviation, has been developing such a weapon for years, in parallel to the trinational program, Gerhartz noted.
“Now were are looking for partners to push UCAV, or loyal wingman, on our side,” he said. “We need that earlier.”
After the interview, when asked about details, a Luftwaffe spokesman wrote in a statement that the service is looking for “synergies” with partner nations grappling with the same problem of integrating manned and unmanned strike platforms into scenarios for “collaborative combat.”
Meanwhile, the FCAS program has had a wobbly history, mainly fueled by mistrust between Airbus and Dassault that has at times bled into the bilateral political discourse between Germany and France over the usefulness of any bilateral defense programs at all.
According to a Nov. 1 report in the London-based Times, citing unnamed sources, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz was considering abandoning the €100bn ($107.3bn) program in favor a British-led rival effort dubbed Tempest because he had grown impatient with what he viewed as too capricious of a partner in Paris.
A spokeswoman for the German ministry of defense said Berlin is sticking with FCAS, calling reports to the contrary “false.”
Contractors began building an demonstrator in March, putting the project on a “good path,” the spokeswoman said. (Source: Defense News)
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