“Our army must become the mainstay of conventional defense in Europe,” said German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine.
Germany must become thebest equipped armed force in Europe“, Estimated Friday Chancellor Olaf Scholz, after years of analysis”wrongon the fact that his country would besurrounded by friends“. He also pleaded for a rise in power of European countries within NATO.
“As the most populous nation, with the greatest economic power and located in the center of the continent, our army must become the mainstay of conventional defense in Europe, the best equipped armed force in Europe“Launched Olaf Scholz in a speech to the executives of the Bundeswehr.
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The Russian invasion of Ukraine was a turning point for German defense policy, leading to the creation of a special fund of 100 billion euros to upgrade army equipment as well as a renewal strategic. “A former German defense minister thought we were just surrounded by friends. The truth is that politics, the economy and a large part of society have only too willingly believed in this thesis and have drawn important conclusions from it.“, lamented the leader in Berlin. “Wrong consequences, as we know today, especially if we look at the state of the German militaryadded Social Democratic leader.
Assuming more responsibilities within NATO
“At the same time, we are showing clearly and credibly that Germany is prepared to assume leading responsibility for the security of our continent.“, Argued Olaf Scholz. Criticized for his military support for kyiv, deemed too timid, Angela Merkel’s successor is also betting on a rise in European defense power, particularly within NATO. “We Europeans must take on much more responsibility within NATO“, underlined Olaf Scholz.
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Olaf Scholz also came out in favor of setting up a “European headquarters” susceptible to “carry out missions – whether it is an evacuation of our nationals, as last year in Afghanistan, or a European mission of advice or training, as in Iraq, Mali or Niger“. The Chancellor also intendsuse the possibilities already offered by the EU treaties to entrust tasks to a group of Member States, a coalition of determined peopleto facilitate possible European military actions.
But, according to him,perhaps the most pressing problem in Europe is the completely inextricable number of weapon systems and military equipment as well as the competition between the various arms companies“. “Only a coordinated increase in European capabilities will allow Europe to act“, he asserted, endearing”particular importance to the field of air defense – coordinated at European level and contributing to the strengthening of the European pillar of NATO“.