Trenkel

Close co-operation

“The coexistence of different armed forces is expensively inefficient and only serves national interests,” explained German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius at the Berlin Security Conference (BSC) 2023. Germany and the Netherlands proved that strength lies in partnership. Dutch Defence Minister Kajsa Olongren agrees with this. A strong Europe is the top priority of Dutch foreign…

Lauritzen

A duck is a duck

At the Berlin Security Conference, Admiral Rob Bauer, Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, calls for hybrid threats to be clearly identified as such. He also dispels any over-reliance on technology. “If it looks like a duck, moves like a duck and sounds like a duck, then it’s probably a duck,” stated Admiral Rob Bauer…

Trenkel

Preserving dignity

At the Berlin Security Conference 2023, the 12th President of the European Parliament, Prof. Dr. Hans-Gert Pöttering, calls on all those involved in the Gaza war to respect the dignity of the other side. They must face up to the responsibility of developing a vision for a peaceful future in the Middle East.Aaron Sagui, Deputy…

Trenkel

Basic operation of the Lithuanian brigade

The chiefs of the German forces discussed the organization of the brigade in Lithuania at the Berlin Security Conference 2023.“The planning of the Armed Forces Base assumes that 1,800 soldiers will have to be deployed to Lithuania as additional army elements,” said Lieutenant General Martin Schelleis, chief of the Armed Forces Base, at the Berlin…

Airbus

Spain invests in new drones

The Spanish Ministry of Defense has commissioned Airbus to develop and produce a drone. Airbus will provide the Spanish armed forces with nine systems. Each system consists of three drones and a base station. The contract also includes two simulators.The system will be called Sirtap. Once development is complete, it will fly reconnaissance missions over…

Bundeswehr/Hannemann

Delivery of the Puma is delayed

The modernization of the Puma infantry fighting vehicle commissioned by the German government is taking longer than initially assumed. The first delivery of the combat vehicle was planned for the end of 2023. However, necessary rework on the software is making this schedule impossible. The industry plans to complete the programming work by February 2024.…

Strategic composure required

Chief of defence Carsten Breuer (GI) calls for more strategic composure: “Not everything that is currently under discussion can be answered directly or implemented in planning. As soon as the intention to station a brigade in Lithuania been announced there was a public debate about who would be on site, when and how. The same…

Rheinmetall

Rheinmetall delivers Leopard 1 to Ukraine

The German government has placed an order with Rheinmetall to supply 32 Leopard 1 systems to Ukraine. Delivery is scheduled for 2024. Rheinmetall will supply 25 Leopard 1 A5 main battle tanks, five armored recovery vehicles (BPz 2) and two armored driving school vehicles to the Ukrainian armed forces. In addition to the vehicles, Rheinmetall…