The German government is considering refusing to install missile defense systems on aircraft in order to accelerate the start of the operation. This is reported in the German edition of Bild.
Journalists note that as standard, state aircraft are equipped with a laser anti-missile defense system. After a series of malfunctions in government aircraft in 2019, the German Cabinet purchased three new A350 aircraft. Of the total € 1.2 billion purchase, € 229 million is for the protection system, but it will take about six months to install, which will put the system out of service temporarily. It was noted that the German Chancellor A340 Chancellor had a similar protection system in his old plane.
To accelerate the commissioning of the aircraft, the German government is considering the possibility of abandoning the installation of protection systems. The proposal has been approved by Prime Minister Olaf Scholz’s office and a poll is taking place among other ministers.
“What a crazy plan of the Department of Defense! We are at war again on European soil. And the government comes up with the idea of eliminating the protection systems of new government planes! ” Defense expert Ingo Gedehens, a member of the Bundestag from the ranks of the CDU, commented on the idea.
French President Emmanuel Macron’s Airbus A330 aircraft is reportedly equipped with an anti-missile shield and a laser system to deflect surface-to-air missiles. US President Joe Biden’s Air Force One aircraft is also equipped with the latest self-defense system, the details of which have been classified.
Previously reportedThe Pentagon launched an investigation into the US President’s planes.