ORAC
24th Feb 2003, 20:05
Flug Revue (http://www.flug-revue.rotor.com/FRweek1.htm):
Germany cuts Tiger and Tornado squadrons
Germany's defence minister Peter Struck announced new military cutbacks on Friday. Among the savings necessary to free up money for transforming the forces to an international mission stance are cuts in the buy of Tiger attack helicopters. A second tranche will not be ordered, bringing numbers down to 80. Struck said this should save about 700 million euros.
Struck said about 1.7 billion euros would be saved by taking out of service 80 to 90 Tornado fighter aircraft by the end of 2005.
Ten Albatros torpedo boats would also be retired by the end of 2005.
Struck said the money saved should go towards projects like the purchase of new armoured personnel carriers, tactical air defence missile systems and unmanned reconnaissance aircraft.
Struck said reductions in operational costs and other savings meant military investment could rise by 800 million euros in 2003. Investment should rise from 24.7 percent of the total defence budget in 2003 to at least 27 percent by 2006.
Germany cuts Tiger and Tornado squadrons
Germany's defence minister Peter Struck announced new military cutbacks on Friday. Among the savings necessary to free up money for transforming the forces to an international mission stance are cuts in the buy of Tiger attack helicopters. A second tranche will not be ordered, bringing numbers down to 80. Struck said this should save about 700 million euros.
Struck said about 1.7 billion euros would be saved by taking out of service 80 to 90 Tornado fighter aircraft by the end of 2005.
Ten Albatros torpedo boats would also be retired by the end of 2005.
Struck said the money saved should go towards projects like the purchase of new armoured personnel carriers, tactical air defence missile systems and unmanned reconnaissance aircraft.
Struck said reductions in operational costs and other savings meant military investment could rise by 800 million euros in 2003. Investment should rise from 24.7 percent of the total defence budget in 2003 to at least 27 percent by 2006.