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Reuters
The ruling coalition in Germany, headed by Chancellor Angela Merkel, split less than a year before the elections, over equipping the German army with combat drones, much to the dismay of NATO.
The issue was initially raised with the signing of a contract in 2018 with the Israeli company IAI to rent five Heron TB drones, while the coalition agreement between the Christian Democratic Union and the Social Democratic Party stipulates that the issue be put to a vote. In Parliament before any possible arming of these drones.
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Germany has so far only used surveillance drones in Mali and Afghanistan.
And the weaponization of these drones enjoys the support of conservatives and some of the Social Democrats, liberals and the far right, while the Greens, the far left and the left wing of the Social Democratic Party oppose it.
The mission of German military missions is a very sensitive topic, given the country’s responsibility in World War II.
This obstruction sparked criticism even within the ranks of the Social Democratic Party, and led to the resignation of the party’s defense spokesman, Fritz Felgenaroy, the day after the veto imposed by his party.
NATO is on the line of controversy
The Secretary-General of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, entered the line of controversy over the weaponization of drones, which was preceded by many of the countries that signed the treaty, such as France and Turkey.
“These drones can support our forces on the ground, and they can, for example, reduce the number of pilots we expose them to danger,” Stoltenberg told the German DPA, referring to their use against ISIS.
Europe is counting on this issue, as the “New Generation Air Combat System” (SCAF) led by France, Germany and Spain, which aims to equip Europe with a new air combat system from 2026, provides for the use of armed drones.
Source: AFP
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