Military Space News
MILPLEX
German defence minister plans crisis meet on US-made arms: report
German defence minister plans crisis meet on US-made arms: report
by AFP Staff Writers
Frankfurt, Germany (AFP) Mar 20, 2025

Germany's defence minister will consult with top military officials on security issues relating to US weapons systems, especially F-35 fighter jets, a national newspaper reported on Thursday.

Countries across Europe are re-examining their dependence on US weapons and technology, alarmed by US President Donald Trump's administration casting doubt on future transatlantic ties.

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius will consult with leading generals, ministry experts and procurement officials, the Sueddeutsche Zeitung said.

The focus of the confidential talks would be on US weapons systems which Germany already operates or has ordered.

Germany's armed forces have ordered 35 F-35 fighter planes, but concerns have been raised that Washington could potentially exercise control over the jets.

Experts warn of the risk to spare parts supply, and some worry that a so-called "kill switch" could be embedded in the aircraft, giving Washington the final say over any use.

Carlo Masala, a political scientist at the Bundeswehr University in Munich, told the Sueddeutsche daily that the planes were a possible pressure point, regardless of any kill switch.

"The problem with the F-35 is more data transmission and the issue of spare parts," he said.

"If that's not available, the F-35 loses much of its functionality ... If that's cut off, that's a problem."

- 'Not a great idea' -

Earlier this month, the head of Airbus's defence division, Michael Schoellhorn, said that European militaries should avoid buying US-made weaponry.

"The Danes are seeing right now that this might not be such a great idea, if they ever needed to defend Greenland with their American F-35 jets," he said, referring to Trump's stated designs on the Danish territory.

Announcing a new 150 billion euro ($163 billion) defence fund on Wednesday, the EU said money should only go to firms that can be trusted.

"We have this opportunity to really build up the European defence industry," said Kaja Kallas, the EU's chief diplomat. "In crisis, your military really needs to have free hands."

Nevertheless, achieving greater independence from the United States will be hard.

Oliver Doerre, CEO of Hensoldt, a German defence electronics firm, told reporters this week that collaboration with the Americans for technology was "essential".

There are currently no technical alternatives to the F-35 for carrying plane-born US nuclear warheads stationed in Germany to their targets, he added.

A defence ministry spokesman declined to confirm Pistorius's meeting to the daily.

But he said that F-35 dependence went both ways, since the jet also includes parts made outside the United States.

vbw/fz

Airbus Group

Related Links
The Military Industrial Complex at SpaceWar.com
Learn about the Superpowers of the 21st Century at SpaceWar.com

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
MILPLEX
Italy PM walks tightrope with EU defence spending, Ukraine
Rome (AFP) Mar 18, 2025
Italy's Giorgia Meloni will set out her position on EU defence plans on Tuesday, as she seeks to balance divisions in her coalition government with support for Ukraine, while keeping Washington onside. The prime minister will give a speech to the Senate on her approach to a European Union summit starting on Thursday, where leaders will discuss plans to ramp up military aid for Ukraine amid faltering US support under President Donald Trump. Meloni's hard-right government has until now strongly ba ... read more

MILPLEX
Israel military says intercepted missile from Yemen

Israel says intercepted missile from Yemen

France, Italy, UK order more air defence missiles

Space Force accelerates Missile Warning capabilities

MILPLEX
Kim oversees NKorea's new weapons ahead of Russian security chief visit

Russian barrage kills one, damages hospitals: Kyiv

Top EU diplomat hails Trump offer to help Ukraine get air defences

Russian strike on Ukraine's Odesa port kills four: Kyiv

MILPLEX
Rampart debuts StrataWave UAS radio designed for stealth in electronic warfare zones

AV secures DIU contract to advance autonomous strike drone deployment

Ukraine drones hit Russian energy sites, Kyiv source says

Moscow targeted by 'massive' Ukrainian drone attack

MILPLEX
European satellite group ready to step up for Kyiv's military: CEO

Researchers establish new basis for quantum sensing and communication

Rivada and Amentum Collaborate to Enhance Secure Government Communications

Lockheed Martin, Nokia, and Verizon Enhance Military Communications with 5G.MIL Integration

MILPLEX
More kit, better barracks: Germany's military in need of overhaul

US approves sale of $3 bn in munitions, bulldozers to Israel

Denmark and Norway to 'increase cooperation' on defence

Eight soldiers killed in Colombia road accident

MILPLEX
As Russia looms, EU defence plans fail to quell joint borrowing calls

Defense Dept. cuts $580M in funding deemed wasteful

What's in Germany's giant spending 'bazooka'?

Rocked by Trump, EU seeks to kickstart defence push

MILPLEX
Japan stresses US alliance after Trump cost-cutting reports

Russia threatens the entire EU, bloc's chief tells AFP

Europe shifts gears for the Trump era

China, Russia eager to fill void as Trump axes US-funded media

MILPLEX
Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.