Dispute with pre-programmed SPD: AKK powers purchase of 45 US fighter jets

The Air Force has been looking for a replacement for its decrepit tornado jets that have been in use for more than 40 years. The Secretary of Defense now wants to get her nails done and go shopping in the United States, against determined opposition from coalition partners.

Defense Secretary Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer has announced her interest in the United States government purchasing 45 Boeing F18 fighter jets. The minister informed his US colleague Mark Esper by email on Thursday that the Bundeswehr intends to order 30 F-18 “Super Hornet” planes and 15 F18 “Growler” planes, the Spiegel reported Sunday. The Defense Ministry said Sunday night that it was “constantly talking to our allies.” The Ministry said: “There is no order, Parliament should also decide on that.”

The Defense Ministry plans to replace the Bundeswehr’s outdated tornado fleet by 2025 with up to 90 additional Eurofighter jets and 45 Boeing F-18 fighters. The American model must be purchased for electronic air combat and Germany’s “nuclear involvement” in American weapons. In an emergency, the machines could be equipped with US nuclear weapons stored at Büchel Air Base. In addition, Kramp-Karrenbauer wanted to order another 15 F18 “Growler” aircraft for electronic warfare. Its special sensors could turn off the opponent’s ground radar, he said.

SPD concerns ignored

However, a formal decision has yet to be made. According to information from the dpa news agency, the minister informed colleagues in the United States, Great Britain and France about the status of the proceedings. There is no order. However, the mail to Esper has explosive power in the government coalition: Kramp-Karrenbauer has opposed the SPD’s objections to the planned business without further agreements, says in the “Spiegel”.

So “AKK” did not even speak to the leader of the SPD parliamentary group, Rolf Mützenich, who decisively refuses to buy the American plane. However, there have recently been confidential consultations with Chancellor Heiko Maas and Vice Chancellor Olaf Scholz. However, the SPD’s anger at the actions of the CDU leader, according to “Spiegel”, was so great that Kramp-Karrenbauer canceled a public presentation of his plans for the successor to “Tornado” planned last Thursday. However, she sent the email with the order confirmation to Esper the same day.

The SPD but also the associations had demanded that the tornadoes be replaced by new converted Eurofighters. The United States made it clear that a certification process with Eurofighters would take much longer than with American-produced aircraft types. Proponents of Eurofighter, on the other hand, point to the need to promote their own manufacturing capabilities and not make dependence on the United States too great.