Zero Hedge: Germany's Snub Of Lockheed’s F-35 Unleashes Dramatic Geopolitical Consequences
Germany has snubbed Lockheed Martin's F-35 joint strike fighter, knocking the American stealth fighter of out of a tender worth billions of euros, the German Defense Ministry confirmed on Thursday. Germany's military is seeking to replace its aging Tornado warplanes, for which Boeing's F/A-18 Super Hornet and Airbus' NATO Eurofighter Typhoon remain contenders.
Should Germany go with the Eurofighter after announcing the F-35 out of the running, which was long rumored to have persistent mechanical and software glitches, this could have huge geopolitical consequences considering current multiplying issues of contention between the US and Germany, not least of which goes to the heart of NATO strategic nuclear readiness.
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WNU Editor: The German military is already in a mess, with much of its air force already grounded .... Report: German Military Lacks Equipment And Recruits (January 30, 2019). If Berlin commits to purchase Airbus' NATO Eurofighter Typhoon (which is not certified to carry nuclear weapons) .... this is only going to cement Germany's reputation that they are not taking their NATO commitments seriously.
But committing to buying a F35 that is a useless hog in the air that will only further burden Germany's dismal defense budget is not going to help their commitment when it comes to NATO, is it?
ReplyDeleteUse your brain.
Germany has not taken its NATO commitments seriously for over 20 years. This F-35 decision is a final proof of that. America is replacing all tactical nuclear bombs to a new standard, the B-61-12, which is integrated with 5th generation stealth jets. Germany knew this when it eliminated the only jet certified to carry the B-61-12. Neither the Euro fighter nor F-18 have the avionics to interface with the B-61-12, a bomb replacing all prior variants, including those carried by the German Tornadoes.
ReplyDeleteThe article mentions this fact and says Germany might ask for a quote to upgrade its purchase to the B-61-12 standard. Good luck with that. Americans will offer an exorbitant price tag or not offer a price at all due to the tiny production run for a German only need.
One more step by Germany to end the NATO alliance.
In it's current state I would not buy the F-35
ReplyDeleteThe purpose of Mother appointing Ursula von der Leyen, the former Minister of Marital Affairs and Youth, was to turn the German military into a welfare or jobs program, but with a difference.
ReplyDeleteThese welfare recipients have uniforms.