Germany’s defence procurement is under scrutiny, with rising costs and poor state of its military hardware. All eyes were on German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen, when, half a year ago, she gave the green light for Germany’s role in international crises, but now it came to light that some equipment is in such disrepair that Germany is unable to meet NATO commitments.
The shortcomings came to light after two planes taking arms and trainers to help Iraqi Kurds fighting Islamic State (IS) broke down, as did a plane taking aid to African states hit by Ebola.
The military says a large proportion of equipment such as helicopters and fighter jets is unfit for service, casting doubt on Germany’s ability to help provide air defence for its NATO allies in the Baltics if the Ukraine crisis escalates.
The report, drawn up by KPMG consultancy at the request of the defence procurement office, identified 140 problems and risks facing nine key arms projects worth €57 billion ($72 billion), including the A400M transporter, the helicopters TIGER and NH90, the Eurofighter TYPHOON, the Joint Radio Systems (SVFuA) project, the F125 frigate, the tactical air defence system TLVS, the ISIS SIGINT System (SLWÜA), and the PUMA IFV, which is six years behind schedule. It makes 180 recommendations to address problems of rising costs and changing project parameters, which would take at least two years to implement.
Von der Leyen, who said the report would help focus efforts, blames delays in deliveries of spare parts and inadequate inspections and maintenance. The report said defence buying required a culture of leadership and responsibility, close co-operation with industry and precise contracts with clear incentives and penalties.
The military says only 70 of 180 BOXER AFVs, seven of 43 navy helicopters, 42 of 109 EUROFIGHTERs and 38 of 89 TORNADOs are operational. TRANSALL transport aircraft are also in poor condition, with only 24 out of 56 deployable.
With 3,617 German soldiers deployed on 18 missions in 14 countries, the consultants conclude that the fault lies in the ministry's leadership culture. In addition, ministerial procurement staff had to set incentives and sanctions when calling for tenders and deal with vendors as legal equals. The 57-page report calls for reactivation of the EURO HAWK drone to further test its integrated intelligence-gathering system ISIS, which in turn will be included in the TRITON UAS.
With the next parliamentary elections still three years away, there is enough time for von der Leyen to start implementing reforms – and for her critics to hold her to account. The MoD is seen as a political graveyard by many German commentators. Her last three predecessors, all CDU stalwarts, resigned early – one over a failed drone programme, another over alleged plagiarism, and the third over civilian deaths involving the German contingent in Afghanistan.
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| German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen sits in a German C-160 aircraft, which are in urgent need of replacement. |
The shortcomings came to light after two planes taking arms and trainers to help Iraqi Kurds fighting Islamic State (IS) broke down, as did a plane taking aid to African states hit by Ebola.
The military says a large proportion of equipment such as helicopters and fighter jets is unfit for service, casting doubt on Germany’s ability to help provide air defence for its NATO allies in the Baltics if the Ukraine crisis escalates.
The report, drawn up by KPMG consultancy at the request of the defence procurement office, identified 140 problems and risks facing nine key arms projects worth €57 billion ($72 billion), including the A400M transporter, the helicopters TIGER and NH90, the Eurofighter TYPHOON, the Joint Radio Systems (SVFuA) project, the F125 frigate, the tactical air defence system TLVS, the ISIS SIGINT System (SLWÜA), and the PUMA IFV, which is six years behind schedule. It makes 180 recommendations to address problems of rising costs and changing project parameters, which would take at least two years to implement.
Von der Leyen, who said the report would help focus efforts, blames delays in deliveries of spare parts and inadequate inspections and maintenance. The report said defence buying required a culture of leadership and responsibility, close co-operation with industry and precise contracts with clear incentives and penalties.
The military says only 70 of 180 BOXER AFVs, seven of 43 navy helicopters, 42 of 109 EUROFIGHTERs and 38 of 89 TORNADOs are operational. TRANSALL transport aircraft are also in poor condition, with only 24 out of 56 deployable.
With 3,617 German soldiers deployed on 18 missions in 14 countries, the consultants conclude that the fault lies in the ministry's leadership culture. In addition, ministerial procurement staff had to set incentives and sanctions when calling for tenders and deal with vendors as legal equals. The 57-page report calls for reactivation of the EURO HAWK drone to further test its integrated intelligence-gathering system ISIS, which in turn will be included in the TRITON UAS.
With the next parliamentary elections still three years away, there is enough time for von der Leyen to start implementing reforms – and for her critics to hold her to account. The MoD is seen as a political graveyard by many German commentators. Her last three predecessors, all CDU stalwarts, resigned early – one over a failed drone programme, another over alleged plagiarism, and the third over civilian deaths involving the German contingent in Afghanistan.