Germany to spend $64.3bn on major defense contracts this year
Germany will allocate €60 billion ($64.3 billion) from the Bundeswehr's special fund by the end of 2023 for major defense orders, including the purchase of F-35 fighter jets, a newspaper reported on Sunday, citing Director-General of the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support Annette Lehnigk-Emden.
At the same time, Lehnigk-Emden noted that her agency, despite the desire for faster decision-making, still faces a number of obstacles, including the need to obtain parliamentary approval for any defense spending exceeding €25mn, the report stated.
Lehnigk-Emden added that the funds would be allocated for the purchase of US F-35 fighter jets and Chinook heavy transport helicopters, as well as the Israeli Arrow 3 missile defense system, the report said.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced last year the establishment of a €100 billion special fund to finance major defense projects such as the purchase of F-35 fighter jets.
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