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| Europe |
| Germany to cut troops and close bases to save £18bn |
| 2004-01-14 |
| Germany’s defence minister, Peter Struck, ordered drastic cuts in the military and slashed defence spending by £18 billion yesterday. He said changes since the Cold War and a government austerity drive were behind the decision to reduce numbers by 35,000 to 250,000 and to close 111 bases in the next eight years. His decision led to a debate about the future of mandatory military service, a feature of German life since the country was unified under Bismarck in 1870. Army conscription in Germany could be axed ’within the year’. Mr Struck insisted no changes would be made before elections in 2006. He added: "Those who want to suspend military service must provide a lot of additional funds to pay the people we would need to replace the draft soldiers." But people close to the government said the days of conscription were numbered. Angelika Beer, the leader of the Green party, the junior partner in the government coalition, said she expected a cabinet decision "within the year". The family ministry also said it would present proposals tomorrow on the future of non-military national service, which is available to those who refuse to wear uniform. Every year about 95,000 young men who do not want to work in the military take up posts in the social field. The umbrella organisation for charities and social schemes said it was braced for the end of subscription by 2008, saying the move would increase the cost of employing charity workers by 37 per cent. Conscription is held in high regard in Germany where, because of the militaristic past, it is viewed as an appropriate way of keeping the army in check. Traditionally, conscripts have carried out their service close to home in order to nurture the sense of a citizens’ army protecting the homeland. But Germany has come under increasing pressure from Nato partners to scrap the system, which is deemed inefficient and unreliable in dealing with more modern demands such as crisis intervention and peacekeeping. Demands on the army are greater than at any time since the end of the Second World War. It is involved in more foreign operations than any other country apart from the United States, including Afghanistan and the Balkans. Mr Struck’s announcement demonstrated in particular his commitment to channelling more money into producing higher calibre career soldiers whose new focus would be international missions. The military will be divided into three categories. The 35,000-strong "intervention forces" will be available for multinational operations; "stabilisation forces" will have 70,000 peacekeeping soldiers and "support forces" will train new troops and be available for other operations. Mr Struck denied reports that under the cost-cutting drive the government was reducing its order of 180 Eurofighter aircraft, which Britain is also buying. But the defence ministry intends to streamline orders for naval helicopters and delay buying other equipment, including 10,000 vehicles. Local councils attacked the plans to close bases. They said this would have a detrimental effect on their economies, particularly after last week’s announcement that the United States is to close bases in Germany and withdraw thousands of its troops. |
| Posted by:rkb |
| #5 Local councils attacked the plans to close bases. They said this would have a detrimental effect on their economies, particularly after last week’s announcement that the United States is to close bases in Germany and withdraw thousands of its troops. Send your "appreciation" to the Gerhard & Jacques Show. |
| Posted by: Bomb-a-rama 2004-1-14 9:28:57 PM |
| #4 rkb, I'd buy the "trying to bring Germany's armed fores up to professional standards" argument IF the emphasis in the statements I've seen were not on the SAVINGS of £18B. Reducing NUMBERS of troops for better quality efforts might well make sense, but while effectiveness would go up, the PRICE wouldn't necessarily go down. |
| Posted by: Ralph 2004-1-14 9:02:32 PM |
| #3 I don't read this as necessarily bad. It sounds as if Struck is desperately trying to bring Germany's armed forces up to professional standards - ending the draft, which has meant that soldiers really don't leave home, focusing limited funds on equipment for a clear operational mission .... Or am I missing something here? |
| Posted by: rkb 2004-1-14 7:58:40 PM |
| #2 The USA should add a surcharge when 'Peans and Canadians buy or echange for dollars, to pay for the defense and protcection these free loaders get from US tax-cows like me. |
| Posted by: Hyper 2004-1-14 7:52:33 PM |
| #1 where do you start? I guess all that I can really say is that both Germany and France show how quickly crummy leadership can drive a good country into the ground. |
| Posted by: B 2004-1-14 5:45:19 PM |