GER politics thread

[Jimbuna]

The self-proclaimed kingdom that doesn't recognise Germany

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-63916812

[Skybird]

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

The self-proclaimed kingdom that doesn't recognise Germany

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-63916812

The nurses have been photoshopped out of that picture.

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by Skybird

The nurses have been photoshopped out of that picture.

[Skybird]

Neue Zürcher Zeitung:
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Rheinmetall expands ammunition production in Germany

(dpa) Rheinmetall is building an extensive new ammunition production facility in Germany with the aim of supplying the Bundeswehr independently. The facilities for so-called medium-caliber ammunition should be ready in January, the defense company confirmed upon request. Earlier, there had been political anger in Berlin over the Swiss veto of ammunition deliveries from Germany to Ukraine. The export of old stocks of the weapons material needed for the Gepard anti-aircraft gun tanks would have required the approval of the Swiss government, which, however, refused, citing its own neutrality.

Rheinmetall also pointed to considerable backlogs of ammunition in Germany and gaps created by support for Ukraine. These would have to be filled in accordance with NATO requirements. A spokesman for the defence company told DPA that at the heart of the new requirements was the desire to "reestablish ammunition supplies in Germany that are, in principle, independent of foreign production facilities". The decision had been made to build a new production facility in Germany for the 20-35 millimeter caliber. Production is scheduled to start in June 2023.

In addition, Rheinmetall will then be in a position to deliver a first batch of Gepard ammunition as early as July, the spokesman said. According to reports, this will involve up to 300,000 rounds for Ukraine if the German government now places a corresponding order. Germany has given the Gepard to Ukraine, but initially could only add a small amount of ammunition. The Gepard tanks decommissioned in the Bundeswehr and handed over to Ukraine are equipped with a twin 35mm gun made by the Swiss armaments manufacturer Oerlikon. The Swiss manufacturer of weapons and ammunition is now part of Rheinmetall.
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This took them NINE months.
Deutsche Welle writes:
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Bundestag clears way for purchase of F-35 fighter jets

The Budget Committee has approved major procurement measures for the German armed forces by a majority "beyond the traffic light". These include a new assault rifle and the upgrade of the Puma infantry fighting vehicle.

The Defense Ministry has received the green light from the Bundestag for projects worth billions of euros to equip the German armed forces, including the procurement of the F-35 stealth fighter jet. Members in the Budget Committee approved a total of eight so-called 25-million bills, totaling around 13 billion euros. These included the decision to purchase a new assault rifle as a successor to the G-36, the procurement of military radio transmission systems, the upgrade of the Puma infantry fighting vehicle and new snow vehicles.

The Budget Committee must approve Bundeswehr procurements that exceed 25 million euros. The Defense Committee is also dealing with the bills, but approval is considered certain. Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht welcomed the Budget Committee's approval and expressed her gratitude for broad agreement "even beyond the traffic lights." This is an important sign that "the breadth of parliament is behind this change of era.

The Inspector General of the Bundeswehr, Eberhard Zorn, spoke of a "starting point" for the implementation of projects from the 100-billion-euro special fund for better equipping the troops. The program had been launched by the German government following the Russian attack on Ukraine and Chancellor Olaf Scholz's "turn of the times" speech at the end of February.

The government had decided to equip the Air Force with a total of 35 F-35 stealth jets because the current Tornado fleet is outdated. The jet, made by U.S. manufacturer Lockheed Martin, is considered the most modern fighter aircraft in the world and is also to be purchased for Germany's so-called nuclear sharing - a NATO deterrence concept in which allies have access to U.S. nuclear bombs.
German F-35s to be operational in 2028

According to the other Bundeswehr statements, pilot and technician training on the F-35 will begin in 2026, with the first jets scheduled to be transferred to Germany in 2027. Initial operational readiness would then be declared in 2028.
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Budget Committee and parliament could not decide earlier because Lambrechts defence ministry did not get its acts together.

[Jimbuna]

Good news if it comes to fruition.

[Skybird]

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

Good news if it comes to fruition.

The irony is that it was the SPD, of which Lambrecht is a member, that for years prevented the purchase of the F-35, and even pushed against it. Now it is buying them in a rush - and is prepared to pay almost twice as much per aircraft as other European customers.
This is misappropriation of public funds, so to speak. All the assets of the Socialist Party should be confiscated, as at least symbolic compensation for the damage.
But the Greens are doing the same thing with energy policy. They cause horrendous amounts of damage, and when it is proven that it did not work, they leave the damage compensation to the taxpayer.

Thank you.

[Rockstar]

As one commenter stated: “ The short version: imagine that when you buy your car, you're paying up front not just for the car but for every scheduled service and every tire change for the next twenty to thirty years, parts and labour included, right down to training the mechanics and buying them their tools. And if a new model comes out with fancy gadgets, you're paying to have those refitted to the model you bought.

Now imagine what that would do to the price”

[Skybird]

As the NZZ reported and I posted, Switzerland pays 168 per plane, Germany 286. EUR our US Dollar I forgot.
The reason is the Germans negotiated badly and from a weak position. They came late to the party.

[Jimbuna]

Can't say I'm aware of the true facts but the figures do give potential cause for concern.

[Rockstar]

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

Can't say I'm aware of the true facts but the figures do give potential cause for concern.

Unfortunately for us the particulars of military purchases are usually not publicly disclosed. It's going to be near impossible to determine why there is such a disparity between the price Germany negotiated and the price Switzerland, Finland and others.

Personally, I think Germany is spending more to get more. Costs dramatically vary depending on whether a government also buys additional support equipment and spare parts. Now, I could be wrong but take for instance nuclear payload capability, which is, I think, a NATO requirement for Germany, but I don't believe it is for others. I'm sure something like that is reflected in the price too.

On the other hand, maybe, the other countries are downplaying costs for their domestic audience. "Hey look at the deal we got!"

[mapuc]

Denmark has bought 27 of these F-35 for the sum of 20 billion Danish Kroner. This gives around 741 Million Danish Kroner per fighter jet. or 106 Million Dollars.
The Government has additional calculated a maintenance cost of 56 billion Danish Kroner for these 27 F-35 during their life.

Markus

[Skybird]

Again, the Germans came too late.

They need this plane desperately to carry nukie bombs stored in Germany, this thing we call "nukleare Teilhabe". They slept and slept for years to replace the Tornado and then slept more when dreaming of a licensing deal done with the US for the Eurofighter to carry these bombs. The Americans had them on the hook, and refused that licensing, betting for selling them US planes instead /long time the talk was of the F/A-18), and by that also damaging competition from the France-Germany consortium that is (was?) meant to design a new fighter. Now the Germans woke up this year over Russia, and suddenly everything had to go hush-hush. The initial delivery time given by the Us manufacturer probably was too long, they have many other customers, too. The Germans had to put money on the table to accelerate things a bit in their favour.

The Swiss even negotiated for some form of inherent technology transfer included in the deal they did, for much less money. But they had no time pressure and a stronger position, thus the price came down. Though I would assume the needs for logistical preparation and supply are not that much different than that of the Luftwaffe. In the end any nation buying these planes makes itself completely dependent on supply and maointence domninated by the mafucatrers and American authorities, national customers' services are not even allowed to run many of the common maintenance. Finally, and this gets never reported, these planes are not to be used by free decision of the customer - any use in a real military scenario must be agreed to by the US government. Much like the Swiss say no to dleoivering ammo for the Germna Gepoards and the Germans said No to Spain wanting to deliver Leopard 2A4s to Ukraine. The US are very concerned that their technology falls into the wrong hands if a plane get lost.



The Germans slept too long, until they found they had run out of time on many fronts and had to pay what was demanded. As a neutral observer I would say: serves them right. As a German I say: completely uneeded, and completely our own fault. And VERY typically German.

[Skybird]

I wonder if the European nations buying the F-35 will regret it one day when the US and China are at war, US must focus its supplies on that war zone, and then Russia goes amok again and starts another war in Europe. What will then happen to the supplies needed to keep the European F-35s flying? Food for thought.

[Skybird]

The Bavarian town of Neumarkt decided to lead the pace and save energy - by switching off the streetlights in town at night. Its a rural place, I assume: this is how it looks now when people need to find their way in the light of their smartphone torches.





Boah, us Germans are so progressive!

[Skybird]

After the Berlin State Constitutional Court has declared the election in Berlin invalid and ordered the repetition of the election in February because of the countless violations, it comes as I predicted and a group of 30 chaots in the jokingly called parliament anarcho-body moves before the Federal Constitutional Court to achieve a non-repetition of the election. Almost without exception, these are "deputies" who must fear for their sinecures and privileges if the election is repeated.