February 08, 2019
German F-35 decision sacrifices NATO capability for Franco-German industrial cooperation
While the German decision last week to remove the Lockheed Martin F-35 from consideration as a replacement for 90 aging Tornado fighters solidifies Franco-German industrial cooperation, it could come at the expense of making Germany’s Luftwaffe a less capable air force until at least 2040, when a new advanced Franco-German fighter becomes available.
The decision also places German domestic political considerations ahead of Germany’s leadership role in NATO. This would be understandable for a nation that does not perceive a significant military threat from Russia, but it is disturbing for those who emphasize the need to maximize NATO’s deterrent posture in the East. The decision should be reconsidered.
Read the full article in Defense News.
More from CNAS
-
How Nuclear War Could Start
To understand how it could all go wrong, it is useful to look at some examples of how it almost did....
By Jon B. Wolfsthal
-
How the U.S. and Europe are Rethinking China
China has remained a persistent—and increasingly complex—challenge. With looming discussions of tariffs and strategic decoupling from the U.S., European leaders are watching c...
By Andrea Kendall-Taylor & Noah Barkin
-
‘Spider’s Web’ Warning: The U.S. Must Prioritize Drone Defense to Avoid Russia’s Fate
This attack is wake-up call for US military: its counter-drone efforts are inadequate and are not keeping pace with the threat....
By Stacie Pettyjohn & Molly Campbell
-
Untangling Ukraine’s “Operation Spiderweb”
In this episode, Paul Saunders speaks with Samuel Bendett, an adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security. Bendett's previous experience includes working f...
By Samuel Bendett