German Bundestag, Plenarprotokoll 19/229, pp.
29290-29291.
Today I may for the fourth time speak following the Defense Commissioner’s
report, and yearly greets the groundhog. Was that already a reason for interjected
bleating?
The report ever again concerns itself with the same themes
and similar content, without really being able to recognize more than gradual
changes or – and one must be able to expect this – improvements. The Defense Commissioner’s
reports, for example, for years deal with the theme of procurement. Since tomorrow
I will speak in this connection with our soldiers, let me in an exemplary way concentrate
on it here.
As did previously her predecessor, the Defense Commissioner
attests that for the Bundeswehr is required more flexibility, more awareness of
responsibility, and clearer decisions structures. Frau Minister, you
predecessor already took up this theme with the inclusion of legions of consultants.
We then needed to prepare and re-work this in the scope of a protracted
investigating committee. Today we must confirm that under you this theme
unfortunately has still not essentially improved and will not up to the end of
the legislative period. What then comes could be still worse.
The Bundeswehr still has in use major equipment the life
cycle of which is actually long exceeded and which urgently needs to be
replaced with modern systems, those which do not arrive or much too late, as
for example the naval long-range reconnaissance or the heavy transport
helicopter. Much too frequently, the Bundeswehr needs to pursue a compulsory
deficiency management, as in regards the Puma or the armed types of the A400M.
In her report, the Defense Commissioner also states that in
the Bundeswehr the need may be great for armed drones and regrets that, after
ten years, policy is still discussing this theme, even though a fact-based and
transparent debate has already long since taken place. I can only agree that it
is nevertheless your SPD which forbids the urgently required protection of our
soldiers.
Let us also speak of a lack of protection in connection with
our alliance obligations, especially in regards the VJTF [Very High Readiness
Joint Task Force]. After the year 2012, as the thereto well drawn up Army air defense
was without real necessity dissolved and the remainder with little sense
transferred to the Luftwaffe, there opened up a considerable capability gap in
the protection of armored and non-armored forces. How then, for instance in a
scenario of an alliance defense of the Baltic states, shall be guaranteed the
protection of German forces which in case of ground movement therein will be
attacked from the air?
Instead of seeking pragmatic initiatives for the solution,
like the transfer of the capabilities from the Luftwaffe back to the Army, along
with reconstruction of the service branch out of the available strength of
personnel and material, plus a completion with modern follow-on systems, the
Luftwaffe and the Army indulge in competence wranglings and bombastic
definitions. Beyond that, the last available air defense tanks, along with
accessories and munitions, are sold to a third state outside of NATO. These
shall be lessons from the year 2014?
That in such a scenario armed drones would also be
thoroughly helpful is for anyone comprehensible and clear. Lately, the conflict
between Azerbaidjan and Armenia has now shown how badly stand army units without
air defense, here especially against drones, and without their own armed
drones. Endless, academically-led discussions on the ethics of arming drones
are unrealistic and proceed at the cost of our soldiers.
In conclusion for this report: For me, there is lacking
words of warning concerning the future of our armed forces. In the area of the
evident economic consequences of the lockdowns and the budgetary cuts
proceeding therefrom, I would have wished a clear statement that the so
urgently required procurement measures need nevertheless be realized. And where
that does not go, we need to be honest and admit that. Better an end without
fear than a fear without end.
Frau Minister, please finally do right by the responsibility
entrusted to you, assert yourself in cabinet, and make our armed forces
functional and effective for the defense of the country and the alliance.
Hearty thanks.
[trans: tem]
