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Home | Update | Latest Issue | Gallery | FR Profile | Datafiles | FR 11/96 DEFENCE PROGRAMMES: FOCUS ON BONN by Wolfdietrich Hoeveler The German government is facing important decisions concerning the future of the country's aerospace industry. The focus is on three unsettled subjects: The pending decision for the preparation of the series production of the Eurofighter EF2000, the German participation in a satellite-based reconnaissance system, and the continuation of the cooperation in the helicopter business with France. The Eurofighter program is especially at risk since the finance ministry has taken away the necessary budget from the defence ministry officials. Furthermore, Dasa does not want to loose money like the company had done in the past when it had to pay for Defence Minister Rühe's program reorientation. A vicious circle? The situation is indeed serious, but nevertheless not entirely hopeless. At Dasa's forum "Technology motor Aerospace", which was presented at the beginning of October in Bonn, the aerospace coordinator of the German government, Dr. Lammert, offered a solution. He acknowledged the industry's "legitimate need for public demand" and pointed out the positive basic decisions concerning the Eurofighter, as well as, the European satellite reconnaissance (under the lead of France). At the same time he warned the Dasa aerospace leaders not to confuse basic decisions about a program with budgetary decisions for the coming fiscal year. The parliamentary committees will supposedly decide about the Eurofighter program and the German-French summit, scheduled for December, is supposed to bring a decision about the satellite reconnaissance and the helicopter cooperation. The German position in this discussion is not clear yet. Although Defence Minister Rühe has secured the Tiger and NH90 helicopter programs by extending the procurement period, he has no budget available for the satellites and the Eurofighter. Due to these budgetary constraints, it is sure that not all of the originally planned programs can be ordered. The government needs to decide what equipment is needed by the German forces: Are our soldiers to accomplish their new security policing tasks with the best or with the cheapest equipment available? The focus is on political priorities. After there has been a decision on these priorities, the government must make the necessary funds available. The defence budget will not be much bigger in the years to come. The next hole in Finance Minister Waigel's budget has already been discovered. However, there are possibilities for savings. The satellite reconnaissance system could be purchased in the USA for a much cheaper price and would be available much sooner. According to experts, the French claim for a German contribution of more than DM six billion is exorbitant anyway. It is rash and politically unwise to talk about a possible dependence on the Americans, before even considering the reconnaissance potential of the different systems. The USA has been the warrant for Germany's safety over decades and we owe the States for the reunification of our country. We did not always get the same support from our European friends. The defence minister's decision, not to assign funds for the development of a new transporter in the defence budget, represent another way of saving money. At the same time, the chances for our industry are maintained. British and French companies prove that a transatlantic cooperation can be advantagous. The key for the future success of the German aerospace branch is not only with Brussels and even less with Paris, but lies in Bonn and the company headquarters. Germany's industry should no longer ignore the offers from the USA. Many US companies would like to go new ways in Germany. Our country represents the largest aerospace market in Europe. Nowhere else on the continent are there as many powered aircraft. Lufthansa is operating one of the largest airliner fleets in the world and the flying equipment of the armed forces, customs, and police is due for a large-scale replacement. This makes our country an attractive partner for both the Europeans and the Americans. This could be very beneficial for our industry. It's our choice. From page 4 of FLUG REVUE 11/96 Home | Update | Latest Issue | Gallery | FR Profile | Datafiles | FR 11/96 Copyright 1996 by Motor-Presse Stuttgart. All rights reserved. Last updated October 20, 1996