Berlin and Paris have agreed on the federal government's entry, according to government circles.
Main battle tanks are not a thing of the past for the wars of the future. Firepower, protection and mobility – these capabilities have been available to troops in combat since the first steel colossi entered World War I in 1917. Initially ridiculed by the German military leadership, underestimating the tank force proved to be a grave mistake.
The federal government’s entry into KNDS is a clear commitment to land-based armaments. It is right to have a capable industry for tank production, but not as an end in itself. The decision comes at a time when drones and cyber attacks dominate the battlefield, yet tanks retain their role as mobile fire platforms.
Nevertheless, the agreement with France shows that both countries are relying on a common industrial base – also with a view to a possible stock market listing of KNDS.
Without its own production, Germany would be dependent on imports – a risk in times of crisis. The stake in KNDS secures jobs and development expertise.
Whether the investment in tanks pays off in the long term also depends on the further development of the systems. Autonomous vehicles, active protection systems and networked battle management could reinvent the main battle tank.
Source: www.faz.net
