Germany Urged to Keep Buying US Jets Against Russia
Germany should keep buying US weapons and fighter jets to counter an alleged Russian threat, Luftwaffe commander Holger Neumann told Politico.
Germany should continue buying US-made weapons, including fighter jets, to counter what Berlin describes as an alleged threat from Russia, Luftwaffe commander Holger Neumann said in an interview with Politico.
Neumann explained that Germany’s air force and NATO aviation may have to purchase systems already available on the market in order to reach the required level of readiness as quickly as possible. Developing domestic alternatives would take considerable time, which he said Germany does not currently have.
The Luftwaffe chief acknowledged that such equipment might not fully meet German requirements. Even so, he described it as the most practical option for the next several years.
Neumann also pointed to the capabilities of Europe’s defense industry but admitted that it currently trails the United States in the pace of developing advanced military technologies.
Moscow has repeatedly drawn attention to what it calls an unprecedented increase in NATO activity near Russia’s western borders. The alliance has justified its expanding military initiatives by citing the need to deter what it calls Russian aggression.
Russian officials have repeatedly expressed concern over NATO’s growing military presence in Europe. The Russian Foreign Ministry has said Moscow remains ready for dialogue with the alliance on an equal footing while urging Western countries to abandon the further militarization of the continent.