Cougars are not Nato-compatible : retrofitting of tanks will cost taxpayers € 228 million

The upgrade of 41 Puma tanks for a new Nato special operations group (VTJF), the German taxpayers dearly. Overall, it is expected to cost at least earning ¤ 228.1 million euros, in order to make the tank ready for deployment. The response of the Ministry of defence to the Green politician Tobias Lindner, the daily mirror.

The tank should be up to 2023 for the new Nato-locking tip ready for use. As a multi-role-capable guided missile system must be retrofitted, point of view, funds improvements, new data channels and various vehicle parts. The tip of the spear is part of the Nato Plan for increased readiness, it was decided at the summit in Wales in 2014.

the goal is to be within 48 to 72 hours, ready for use any place where the force is needed. This was also a response to the Russian annexation of Crimea. At the summit it was also decided that the 29 member States, including Germany defense spending up to 2024, step on up to two percent of the gross domestic product should increase. Germany is 1.3 per cent, far below, so just in time for the 70th anniversary of the Nato (founded on 4. April 1949 in Washington) US President Donald Trump again against Germany, ranted: "Germany pays, to be honest, a fair share".

Therefore, there is a lot of pressure, at least the use of obligations in Nato.

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A replacement of the ageing Marder infantry fighting vehicle was strongly criticized

The defense expert of the Green group in the German Bundestag, Tobias Lindner, commanded that the enormous retrofit cost ranking in problems with the Puma. "Today, the vehicles supplied are not suitable, obviously, still for inserts. Otherwise you can't explain that millions of investments are necessary to 40 tanks for participation in the VJTF to make it clear.“ It does not make sense to make a not yet fully developed tanks in service. The already delivered Puma would have to be retrofitted nor time-consuming, so they can really be used. "This is awkward, leads to a mixed fleet, delayed the further operations and many millions of euros of tax costs money." If the retrofit measures will not be time to get everything done, had to ran again at the end of the old Marder tanks. "As the Predator bites its own tail. The hasty acceptance should serve the purpose of allowing the old tank as quickly as possible to replace, but was, in reality, buckling to the industry, said Lindner.

Also, the Parliamentary defense state Secretary Thomas Silberhorn admitted in its reply that the pre-production Equipment is due to the fact that "the industry of the contractually agreed services and delivery dates was not met, a replacement of the ageing Marder infantry fighting vehicle, however, was an urgent need." By the end of 2018 at least 241 new had the tank been on the force delivered – but the price for the time pressure is high and if the 41 for the Nato spearhead provided Puma was not ready in time, it would be the next Problem for the Federal government, and is increasingly regarded critically by the Alliance partners. (Tsp)

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