In the coalition agreement made available on November 24 coalition agreement of the so-called “traffic light coalition” of SPD, FDP and Greens, which has now been finalized, has set very ambitious international targets. On the other hand, the compromise wrested from the Greens on so-called “nuclear sharing” is clearly recognizable when it states, among other things, that there is still an interest in participating in strategic discussions and planning processes as long as nuclear weapons play a role in NATO’s Strategic Concept.
However, the continued participation – which was probably due to the FDP, which had repeatedly and persistently claimed in recent weeks that it would take responsibility for the Bundeswehr – is also linked to the replacement of the 20 B61-12s stored in Büchel and the Panavia Tornados that would be deployed in an emergency. Apart from a preference for F-18Fs versus a “nuclear” Eurofighter or F-35, the previous CDU defense minister has left this to the new government, which is now due to take office in December. This will now be addressed, as will a decision on the debate on armed drones, which has been passionately conducted in recent years – by the SPD due to the extralegal killings of leaders designated as terrorists by Israel and the US services (see also IMI analysis on this) for the Bundeswehr. For both it says: “At the beginning of the 20th legislative period, we will develop a successor system for the Tornado combat aircraft (here, too, an IMI report on the subject is also available here). We will monitor the procurement and certification process objectively and conscientiously with a view to Germany’s nuclear sharing.” And further: “Armed drones can contribute to the protection of soldiers deployed abroad. Subject to binding and transparent conditions and taking ethical and security policy aspects into account, we will therefore enable the Bundeswehr to arm drones in this legislative period. The rules of international law apply to their use; we reject extralegal killings – including by drone.” International and technical developments in this area – most recently in Libya or Karabakh, for example, or just seen at the Dubai Airshow – overtook German realities years ago. A little further down on the same page, however, it is stated that the aim is actually a world free of nuclear weapons and thus a Germany free of nuclear weapons. In order to achieve this desirable but very distant goal, the new German administration wants to advocate negotiations between the USA and Russia on complete disarmament in the sub-strategic area and involve nuclear weapons states such as China in nuclear disarmament and arms control. The word “disarmament” appears frequently on pages 143 to 146.
Tip: “Augen Geradeaus” has also comprehensively summarized this sensitive issue for the SPD. summarized. On the right-hand side of the page you will also find numerous further comments and remarks.
