The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Germany to acquire its 1st weapons-capable drone
BERLIN — Germany is close to finalizing a deal that will see the country buy its first weap- ons-capable drone aircraft — an Israeli designed model — from European aerospace giant Airbus, according to a government response to lawmakers.
The deal, worth nearly $1.1 billion including training and maintenance costs, has been politically contentious because of fears that having combat drones might make Germany more likely to participate in offensive military action abroad.
“At the moment the aim is for Parliament to consider (the deal) and for the subsequent signing of the contract to occur soon, before the current binding offer expires,” Germany’s defense ministry said in a written response to questions from the opposition Left party. The terms of the offer are binding until May 31, mean- ing Parliament would have widely used by its allies, but to approve the agreement the center-left Social Demoin the coming weeks. cratic Party blocked a deal
The government’s in Parliament in the run-up response, dated April 12 and to last year’s elections. obtained late Friday, adds After agreeing to extend that the agreement foresees their governing coalition the deployment of drones with German Chancellor to a theater of operations Angela Merkel’s center-right by about mid-2020. Union bloc for another four
“We now have confir- years, the Social Democrats mation that Parliament is dropped their objections to expected to sign off on the buying the drones without purchase of weapons-capa- armaments but it’s unclear ble drones, likely in midwhether they will support May,” said Left party lawarming the aircraft, which maker Andrej Hunko said would require a separate Saturday. agreement.
“It’s the starting point for The drones are a variant Germany to get its own com- of the Heron TP made by bat drones,” Left party lawIsrael Aerospace Industries. maker Andrej Hunko said They are used for reconnaisSaturday. “We oppose this sance missions but can also because combat drones be equipped with a lethal loosen the constraints on payload such as U.S.-made warfare, they lower the Hellfire missiles. threshold for military operaGerman weekly Der Spietions and they have nothing gel has reported that Berlin to do with national defense.” favors Israeli-made Jedi mis
Defense Minister Ursula siles, because the explosion von der Leyen is keen for caused by the warhead can Germany to acquire the kind be adjusted to minimize colof combat drones already lateral damage.