A leading member of the Social Democrats (SPD), the major party in Germany's coalition government, has called on his country's defence industry to immediately increase its production capacity, ringing the bell on the equipment shortage in the Bundeswehr.
After Russia's invasion of Ukraine on February 24, it is necessary for the German army to acquire modern equipment with "great speed," he insisted.
According to Lars Klingbail, co-chairman of the SPD, the impression that large quantities of equipment are available is wrong.
The equipment needed by the German army "has to be produced," Mr. Klingbail made clear, speaking on public broadcaster ARD last Sunday evening. He added that if the German arms industry, which has reduced its production capacity in recent years, is unable to meet demand, the Bundeswehr will be forced to look abroad to meet its needs.
"It is clear that we need to arm the Bundeswehr quickly and well, and we have to work on this at full speed."
Chancellor Olaf Scholz's government recently decided to buy €20 billion worth of ammunition, both for the German army and for shipment to Ukraine. However, much of the German arms industry had closed production lines in recent years due to a lack of orders. Talks are currently underway on how production can be expanded and accelerated.
In February, Mr. Scholz announced a huge increase in German military spending, which will now exceed 2% of Germany's GDP, but German officers complain that disbursement of the funds is being delayed.
Πηγή: Cyprus Times
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs Cyprus Times
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or Cyprus Times
Source
