Germany Continues To Arm

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In late March, German Defense Minister Peter Struck announced that Germany is planning to spend up to €26 billion (US$31 billion) on new armaments. In addition, he said that Germany would stay faithful to its commitment to purchase 180 Eurofighter jets and 50 A400M aircraft—at a cost of $22 billion and $10 billion respectively. Previously, there had been rumors that Germany might cancel its order because of economic woes within. Yet, the terror attack on 3/11 was the impetus needed to push Germany toward the defense and technology spending increase.
    Germany’s response to 3/11 is similar to America’s after 9/11. Because of the heightened European terror threat, the German people are now largely behind these budget increases. Watch for a continual rise in German military readiness, and an overall increase in European security and defense strength.

[Rummer]

The germans don't really have much choice.  The US is finally realizing that the cold war is over and there are other places where we need all the combat power that is in Germany.

What is essentially going on is that the Europeans are realizing that they can't lean on us for support the way the have since the end of WWII.  The Europeans are now going to start taking responsibility for their own security.

It will be interesting to see how the lack of $'s going into the German economy coupled with increased defense spending affects their welfare state.

John

[Gowge]

There's a lot more going on behind the scenes that's not even being reported - like the Nuclear Capable Dolphin Class Subs they sold to Israel - which are being modified and marketed to Taiwan as we speak.   There was a "Food Fight" in Taiwan during a "Legislative Lunch"  recently over defense spending.    Some in the Gov't don't want to spend the $$$ on the subs and other defensive weapon systems.    

BTW, how do you think the Germans are able to compete with the rest of Europe where the Labor Market is expensive?    They've been importing "Guest Workers" from Turkey for decades at low salaries, but now they gotta' pay for those workers' retirements!   Like a juicy Jalapeno Pepper, it's about to jump up and burn them where they sit down!  

Stay up with the REAL news by going to GOOGLE NEWS where you can get it from all over the World!   Try searching for "Germany Israel Dolphin Class Subs" and see whatcha' get!   :wink:

GOOD LUCK!