President-elect Donald Trump has long warned Europe's NATO allies to increase defense spending and stop relying on the United States to meet their security needs. His message seems to be getting across.
It was revealed on Friday that German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius wants to buy four new submarines in a deal worth 4.7 billion euros ($5 billion), subject to approval by the parliamentary spending committee. Reuters reported that this would be necessary. report.
According to reports, the ministry said in a request to the committee that the acquisition was necessary for Germany to meet new NATO requirements to better protect the alliance's northern flank. Spiegel News magazine that saw the document.
Reuters reported that the ministry is looking to procure four more Class 212CD submarines manufactured by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems.
Thyssenkrupp did not respond to requests for comment.
The Ministry of Defense said ongoing parliamentary consultations on funding for further defense procurement were “good and constructive”, but did not provide details of specific projects.
Members of the Budget Committee told Reuters that calls for funding and approval were under consideration.
“We are paying particular attention to the proposal to purchase additional submarines, not only because of its security policy importance, but also because it requires a large amount of funding,” Free Democratic Party (FDP) budget committee member Carsten Klein said. ).
On July 19, 2024, Federal Minister of Defense Boris Pistorius (SPD) sails in a rubber boat to the German U31 type 212A submarine in the Baltic Sea. Pistorius visited a naval base. (Marcus Brandt/Photo Alliance via Getty Images)
As Breitbart News reported, President Trump has long criticized NATO members for refusing to pay but still expecting full protection from American military power and, by extension, American taxpayers. .
Last February, he criticized NATO members for underspending, saying: are you delinquent? …No, I won't protect you. In fact, I would encourage them to do whatever they want to do.
“You have to pay. You have to pay your bills.”
