“Reliable orders”
Berlin orders 20 more Eurofighter fighter jets
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As part of the new era, Germany is purchasing F-35 fighter jets from the USA. But Berlin is also upping the ante when it comes to the Eurofighter. The Chancellor wants to order 20 more aircraft from the defense industry.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz has promised the defense industry “reliable orders” so that production capacities in Germany and Europe can be expanded. “The federal government has the greatest interest in a strong aerospace industry in Germany and Europe,” said Scholz at the opening of the International Aviation Exhibition (ILA).
“That's why we will order 20 more Eurofighters during this legislative period – in addition to the 38 aircraft that are currently in the pipeline,” added the Chancellor. He spoke of a necessary “defense industrial turnaround.” The government will also work for other options, such as exporting the Eurofighter. “I am strongly committed to maintaining and expanding production capacities,” he said, referring to the defense industry.
Scholz also described space travel as increasingly important, which is why the Chancellery will take care of it. With the imminent launch of the Ariane A6 launch vehicle, Europe's own access to space will be “finally” restored with a large-scale launch system and technological sovereignty will be secured in a crucial field for competitiveness.
“The ability to act in space at any time and put satellites into orbit is essential commercially, but also from a defense policy perspective,” he warned. Reliable and innovative small systems are also needed to bring satellites into space, said Scholz, referring to the first launches of so-called micro-launchers this year. These bring small satellites into space.
“Europe needs its own satellite mega-constellation – whether for the Internet of Things or for the autonomous driving and flying of tomorrow,” the Chancellor also demanded, alluding to large satellite networks such as Starlink, which Elon Musk built in the USA.
